Preventatives or remedies for infection, anti-endotoxin agents, vaccine adjuvants and growth promoters

ABSTRACT

A preventive or remedy for infection, an anti-endotoxin agents, a vaccine adjuvants and a growth promoter each comprising a sugar cane-derived extract as an active ingredient which agent is safe to man and animals. Also presented are foods and feeds comprising these agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to preventives or remedies forinfection, anti-endotoxin agents, vaccine adjuvants and growth promotersfor man or animals.

[0003] The present invention relates also to foods or feeds to preventor remedy infection of man or animals.

[0004] The present invention relates also to foods or feeds to preventor remedy human or animal diseases caused by endotoxin.

[0005] The present invention relates also to foods or feeds functioningas adjuvants for vaccines for man or animals.

[0006] The present invention relates also to foods or feeds promotinghuman or animal growth.

[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0008] Recently, various diseases or many infectious diseases of man andanimals are believed to be caused by weakened immunological functions oran insufficiency of immunological functions. In man, for example,immunological functions are weakened or made insufficient by bronchialasthma, allergic disease, joint rheumatism, autoimmune disease,nutrition lesion, surgical operations, aging, cancer, transplant oforgan, or conception, resulting in concurrence of infectious diseasessuch as infectious diseases of respiratory organs, septicemia, andinfectious diseases of urinary tracts. To treat these diseases andinfectious diseases, many kinds of antibiotics are administered.However, when the antibiotic is continuously administered, its efficacybecomes weaker due to development of resistant bacteria which leads to arecently closed-up problem of hospital infection. Therefore, it isdesired not to depend only on antibiotics but to develop drugs or foodwhich enforce immunological functions themselves to thereby prevent ortreat infection and to decrease dosage of antibiotics.

[0009] In the livestock and fishing industries, a large scale raising orovercrowded raising is performed to raise domestic animals, poultry orcultured fish efficiently. Such raising environment causes stresses inthe animals and immune insufficiency in the animals' infancy, whichleads often to various kinds of infectious diseases. As a countermeasurefor this, high dosages of the antibiotics for treating or preventingdiseases are administered to the animals. However, such a high dosagenecessitates it in return to administer more kinds or other kinds ofantibiotics in order to cope with problems of residual antibiotics,increase of resistant bacteria, and diseases caused by resistantbacteria.

[0010] Generally, known preventives or remedies comprise a singlecomponent or a plurality of components having similar structures as anactive ingredient which is (are) prepared by extracting, condensing orsynthesizing the components. Consequently, it is apprehended that a longtime or high dosage of the preventive or remedy causes side effects.

[0011] Substances activating immunity to thereby prevent infection werefound, such as some of Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus bifidus, andClostridium. The immunity activating effect or infection preventiveeffect of the followings were reported; Egg albumen (Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No.H3-251573), a mixture of two or more selectedfrom egg albumen, bacteria and garlic (National Publication ofTranslation of PCT Application No.H8-509211), one or more selected fromRosa roxburghii, mugwort and cabbage and a mixture thereof (JPALaid-Open No.H6-116158), and Glycyrrhiza component (JPA Laid-OpenNo.H9-143-85).

[0012] It is known that one can use bagasse as a culture medium forfungi such as shiitake mushrooms, fomes japonicus, straw mushrooms,hackberris, and mushrooms. Also reported are an anti-virus agent ofwhich active ingredient is an extract from basidiomycetes (JPA Laid-OpenNo.H2-286623, JPA Laid-Open No.H4-66536) and an anti-virus substanceobtained by fractionating and purifying an aqueous extract fromcultivated substances obtained by culturing shiitake fungus on a mediumcomprising bagasse and rice bran (JPA Laid-Open No.H5-4929).

[0013] An anti-virus agent is know which comprises active ingredientpolysaccharides and cytokinin generated by basidiomysetes cultured onbagasse as a medium (JPA Laid-Open No.S55-157517). However, the sameinventor later filed another patent application on an anti-animal virusagent essentially comprising both polysaccharides and water solublelignin as active ingredients which are prepared by subjecting bagasse toenzyme activity or boiling bagasse, followed by extraction (JPALaid-Open No.S57-106624). However, data on an agent comprising, as theactive ingredients, polysaccharides with a molecular weight of from10,000 to 50,000 and water soluble lignin with a molecular weight offrom 50,000 to 100,000 prepared by subjecting bagasse to the enzymeactivity and extracting it are the same as the data described in theaforesaid JPA Laid-Open No.S55-157517. There is not described datum ofany anti-virus test on the components extracted by boiling andextracting bagasse. (It should be noted that abstract description aboutthe boiling and extraction was deleted later in an invalidation appealprocedure.) Therefore, the contents of JPA Laid-Open No.S57-106624 aresubstantially the same as and nothing more than those of JPA Laid-OpenNo.S55-157517. As summarized above, basidiomycetes containing fungi suchas shiitake mushrooms and fomes japonicus are known to bephysiologically active and generally used in health food. Some of theextracts from these fungi cultured bagasse are known to have anti-viruseffects. To extract them, mycelia of basidiomycetes, fungi, or enzymesproduced thereby are necessary.

[0014] As already described above, when infectious diseases, especiallythose caused by bacteria, take place, antibiotics are generallyadministered. In these cases, especially, where the antibiotics areadministered when the causal bacteria have proliferated above a certainlevel, all the bacteria die at once and endotoxin present in thebacteria moves to a host, which may cause endotoxin shock in the host.Besides this sudden move of the endotoxin in blood caused by theantibiotics, the bacteria or the endotoxin thereof may circulate inblood to cause septicemia or septicemia shock.

[0015] To prevent or remedy these diseases caused by endotoxin, someanti-endotoxin agents have been reported: a method of using an antibodyas an anti-endotoxin agent to remedy diseases caused by endotoxin (JPALaid-Open No.S61-500355, National Publication of Translation of PCTApplication No.H4-506447, JPA Laid-Open No.H2-104534, JPA Laid-openNo.H2-134329, JPA Laid-Open No.H6-62844, and National Publication ofTranslation of PCT application No.H6-501931), a method of using hirudinewhich is a thrombin inhibitor (JPA Laid-Open No.H6-165691), a method ofusing denatured C reactive protein (National Publication of Translationof PCT Application No.H7-501545), a method of using 1,4-thiazinederivatives (JPA Laid-Open No.S63-301876), a method of usingheterocyclic derivatives (JPA Laid-Open No.H3-240779), a method of usingan anti-endotoxin agent comprising taurine as an active ingredient (JPALaid-Open No.H10-158158), a method of using a novel compound (JPALaid-Open No.H5-194470).

[0016] Recently, a vaccine adjuvants attract attention as an additive tovaccine because they are considered to play an important role forenhancing antigenicity of the vaccine. Particularly, the vaccineadjuvant is indispensable for an inactivated vaccine, because expressionof the effect of the vaccine is unstable.

[0017] Currently, adjuvants clinically used for man and animals arethose topically used together with vaccines, for example, plant oilssuch as sesame oil and colza oil, mineral oils such as complete Freund'sadjuvant and incomplete Freund's adjuvant, aluminum hydroxide, andaluminum sulfate.

[0018] Studies have been made on vaccine adjuvants. Usually, an adjuvantis mixed with vaccine and is injected or orally administered. Seekingfor a safer and natural adjuvant effect, studies have been reported onorally administered adjuvants derived from natural products. As oraladjuvants, reported are an adjuvant for influenza virus vaccinecontaining Shouseiryutou as an effective ingredient (JPA Laid-OpenNo.H7-173069), avian oral adjuvant containing effective ingredient NaF(JPA Laid-Open No.H10-59869), and an oral adjuvant containing aneffective ingredient mutant enterotoxin (National Publication ofTranslation of PCT application No.H10-505059) were reported. Asadjuvants derived from plants, the following has been reported: aspecific lipid emulsion type of adjuvant containing a fatty oiloriginating from a plant, polysaccharide vaccine adjuvant comprisingpurified and detoxicated endotoxin and trehalose dimicolate (JPALaid-Open No.S63-22029), an adjuvant composition containing a synthetichydrophobic lipopolysaccharide and a surfactant component originatingfrom a plant (JPA Laid-Open No.H5-255117), vaccine containing asemannanextracted from aloe as an adjuvant (National Publication of Translationof PCT application No.H7-506565).

[0019] Also, use of detoxicated toxins such as mutated cholera toxin andmutated heat-labile toxin and cytokine IL-12 are studied (ExperimentalMedicine (Jikken Igaku), 17, 199(1999)).

[0020] In the livestock and fishing industries, it is desired to growdomestic animals, fish and shrimps faster for shipping them, or to raiseproductivity by growing weak domestic animals, fish or shellfish whichare usually considered to be too small and too weak to grow to beshipped. Many studies have been made for the purpose of growing animalsfaster by increasing feed efficiency, of changing taste and flavor offeed to make inexpensive and less-preferred feed more effective, or ofgrowing weak domestic animals, fish and shellfish which are usuallyconsidered to be too weak to grow to be shipped.

[0021] As a means to increase a weight of a domestic animal, thefollowing has been reported an additive for animal feed containing soybean, toad venom, araliaceae, and animal gallbladder (JPA Laid-OpenNo.H7-313070), a method of using a mixture of beer yeast and ethanol(JPA Laid-Open No.S48-61266), a method of using an antibiotic,multhiomycin (JPA Laid-Open No.S52-54013), a method of using a titaniumcomplex (JPA Laid-Open No.S58-76050), a method of usingglobulin-containing substance (JPA Laid-Open No.S61-132143), and amethod of using a carbazate (JPA Laid-Open No.S61-145156).

[0022] As a method for promoting animal growth, the following has beenreported: a method of using β-pienethanolamine (JPA Laid-OpenNo.S59-155343), a method of using an epithelial cell growth factor (JPALaid-Open No.S62-240625), a method of using a morphorin derivative (JPALaid-Open No.H1-6262), and a method of using forskolin (JAP Laid-OpenNo.H1-320956).

[0023] As a method for decreasing a feed demanding rate to therebyimprove an efficiency of weight increase of domestic animals, thefollowing has been reported: a method of using fruit-origin vinegar (JPALaid-Open No.S48-103364), a method of using a porcine prolactin (JPALaid-Open No.H1-230531), and a method of using a product of abacteriolytic enzyme and protease (JPA Laid-Open No.H2-207756).

[0024] As a method of changing preference for animal food to therebyincrease a weight, a method of using hexanol or hexanal was reported(JPA Laid-Open No.H7-313067).

[0025] As a method of decreasing diseases such as diarrhea to therebypromote growth and weight increase, the following has been reported: amethod of using a fructoligosaccharide (JPA Laid-Open No.S60-34134), amethod of using an inulooligosaccharide (JPA Laid-Open No.S61-40754), amethod of using galactosyl disaccharide (JPA Laid-Open No.H4-360652), amethod of using a specific polysaccharide having β-1,3-glucan as a mainchain (JPA Laid-Open No.H7-50999), an agent for increasing weight andenhancing immunity comprising, as an active ingredient, bacterial cellsdeprived of capsules (JPA Laid-Open No.H2-11519), and a method forenhancing immunity and increasing weight using a feed containingcommon-purslane (JPA Laid-Open No.H6-141784).

[0026] The preventive or remedial effect, the anti-endotoxin effect, andthe vaccine adjuvant effect are all related to immunity. However, theirfunctional mechanism are different from one another, and, accordingly,all of the preventive or remedial agents cannot work as ananti-endotoxin agent or a vaccine adjuvant. The preventive or remedialeffect is that against viruses or bacteria causing infectious diseases,and is different from that against endotoxin produced by bacteria. Somehaving a greater preventive or remedial effect for infection raise anantibody titer of a vaccine, but others may cancel the effect of avaccine by attacking an attenuated vaccine when they coexist togetherwith the vaccine. The anti-endotoxin effect and the vaccine adjuvanteffect are different from each other both in an object to be affectedand in functional mechanism. As a consequence, a natural material havingall of these effects has not been reported.

[0027] Natural preventives or remedies and anti-endotoxin agentspreviously reported have limited uses, because they must be orallyadministered in a large amount in order to express effects, or they haveso strong taste, smell, or flavor that, when added to food or feed intheir effective amounts, they affect taste or smell of food or feed, orraise costs. Therefore, a material is desired which has taste or smellallowable to be added to a wide range of food or feed, express apreventive or remedial effect in a small dosage against infectiousdiseases, and is inexpensive and of natural product-origin. Most of thenatural preventive or remedy agents and anti-endotoxin agents previouslyreported comprise a specific ingredient as an active ingredient and itis apprehended that a long term or high dosage of them causes sideeffects. Therefore, among natural materials which show a preventive orremedial effect for infectious diseases in a small dosage, particularlyone which comprises a plurality of active ingredients and is morenatural, is desired.

[0028] Vaccine adjuvants previously reported include chemical compoundadjuvants, inorganic adjuvants and biological adjuvants. Those arepurified compounds, inorganic materials, or detoxicated ones ofenterotoxin or endotoxin produced by bacteria. These conventionally usedadjuvants do not steadily express the effects and sometimes cause a sideeffect of producing IgE. Recently, a natural and safer adjuvant,particularly one expressing the effects via an oral administration, isdesired.

[0029] Growth promoters previously reported include chemical compounds,plants or extracts therefrom, microorganisms such as yeasts, wastematerials such as deoiled soy beans, and biologically active substancescontained in enzymes, proteins, or cells. However, there were only a fewgrowth promoters which were inexpensive and easily prepared from anatural source.

[0030] An object of the present invention is to provide a preventive orremedy for infection, a preventive or remedy for endotoxin shock (ananti-endotoxin agent), a vaccine adjuvant and a growth promoter, whichare safe and effective to man or animals.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a food oran animal feed comprising the preventive or remedy for infection, theanti-endotoxin agent, the vaccine adjuvant or the growth promoter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0032] To attain aforesaid objects, the present inventors have madestudies on food safe to man or animals which food can be produced at lowcosts and has a preventive or remedial effect for infection, ananti-endotoxin effect, a vaccine adjuvant effect or a growth promotingeffect. As a result, the inventors have found that an extract obtainedby treating sugar cane, which has been used as food from an ancienttime, has the preventive or remedial effect against infection caused bybacteria or viruses, the anti-endotoxin effect, the vaccine adjuvanteffect and the growth promoting effect to make the present invention.

[0033] Thus, the present inventions are a preventive or remedy forinfections, an anti-endotoxin agent, a vaccine adjuvant, and a growthpromoter each comprising a sugar cane-derived extract as an activeingredient.

[0034] Particularly, the present inventions are the preventive or remedyfor infection, the anti-endotoxin agent, the vaccine adjuvant, and thegrowth promoter, each comprising, as an active ingredient, a fractionobtained by treating a raw material selected from the group consistingof sugar cane juice, a liquid extract from sugar cane, and sugarcane-derived molasses, in column chromatography with a fixed carrier.

[0035] The present inventions are the preventive or remedy forinfection, the anti-endotoxin agent, the vaccine adjuvant, and thegrowth promoter, comprising, as an active ingredient, a sugarcane-derived extract obtained by extracting bagasse with water, ahydrophilic solvent or a mixture thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 shows an elution pattern obtained in column chromatographyperformed in Preparation Example 1.

[0037]FIG. 2 shows an elution pattern obtained in column chromatographyperformed in Preparation Example 2.

[0038]FIG. 3 shows absorbance, electric conductivity, and sugarcomposition of the fractions obtained by separation with an ion exchangeresin performed in Preparation Example 6.

[0039]FIG. 4 shows an elution pattern obtained in gel permeationchromatography on the extract of Preparation Example 3, performed inTest Example 4.

[0040]FIG. 5 shows an elution pattern obtained in gel permeationchromatography on the extract of Preparation Example 5, performed inTest Example 4.

[0041]FIG. 6 shows an elution pattern obtained in gel permeationchromatography on molecular weight markers, performed in Test Example 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] In the specification, the terms “a preventive or remedy forinfection” mean an agent having an effect of preventing or remedyinginfection with bacteria or viruses Such an effect includes a preventiveor remedial effect through control of immunological systems and thatthrough other mechanisms.

[0043] In the specification, “an anti-endotoxin effect” includes apreventive or remedial effect for diseases caused by endotoxin such asan effect of decreasing death by endotoxin shock or septicemia and evenan effect for oral diseases by periodontal bacteria. Further, an effectas a radical scavenger and an effect of suppressing inflammatorycytokine may be expected.

[0044] In the specification, “a vaccine adjuvant function” or a vaccineadjuvant effect” is an effect of enhancing functions of an antigen, thatis, an immune promoting effect to enhance an immune response.Specifically, it is the effect of increasing an antibody titer tothereby increase the effect of vaccination by administering the adjuvantin a specific period of time before or after vaccination.

[0045] In the specification, “a growth promoting effect” includes aneffect of promoting growth of infantile man or animals and an effect ofincreasing body weight of thin man or animals. In the specification, thegrowth promoting effect is not distinguished from the weightincrease-promoting effect.

[0046] In the specification, the term “animals” means vertebrates otherthan man, including mammals, birds and fish, for instance, domesticanimals such as cows, pigs, and horses, poultry such as domestic fowlsand quails, fish such as young yellowtails, sea breams, flatfish,swellfish, amberjack, sweetfish, eels, trout, carps, and goldfish, andcompanion animals such as dogs and cats.

[0047] In the specification, a sugar cane-derived extract is an extractobtained from sugar cane as a raw material.

[0048] In one embodiment of the invention, the sugar cane-derivedextract is a fraction obtained by treating a raw material selected fromthe group consisting of sugar cane juice, extracted liquid from sugarcane and sugar cane-derived molasses (may be referred to simply as a rawmaterial hereinafter) in column chromatography with a fixed carrier.More preferably, the sugar cane-derived extract is a fraction obtainedby passing the raw material through a column packed with a syntheticadsorbent as the fixed carrier and eluting adsorbed substances on thesynthetic adsorbent with a solvent selected from the group consisting ofwater, methanol, ethanol, or a mixture thereof, or a fraction whichabsorbs light of a wave length of 420 nm out of fractions obtained bytreating the raw material in column chromatography utilizing differencesin affinity to an ion exchange resin packed in a column as the fixedcarrier. It is preferred to subject the fraction absorbing 420 nm lightto electrodialysis to thereby decrease or, more preferably, remove saltsin the fraction.

[0049] Color values of sugar cane-derived raw materials, intermediates,and products were previously evaluated absorbance at 420 nm. Theabsorbance at 420 nm is slightly affected by a pH of a sample, so thatthe pH of the sample is adjusted to about neutral pH prior to themeasurement of absorbance. In the invention, absorbance is measuredafter adjusting samples' pH to a range of from 6 to 8. As will bedescribed in the Examples, when 0.25 g of the freeze-dried powder of theobtained fraction is dissolved in 0.5 mM phosphate buffer (ph 7.5) to atotal volume of 100 ml and its absorbance is measured at 420 nm in acell with a path length of 1 cm, fractions having an absorbance at 420nm of 0.8 or higher has have a higher effect of the present invention.However, the absorbance at 420 nm is a measure for content of colorderived from sugar cane and it is unknown whether the absorbance at 420nm is attributable to the present active ingredients and, further, thecontent of color in sugar cane vary depending on their production placesand spices, so that there may not necessarily be proportional relationbetween the present effect and the absorbance at 420 nm among variousextracts from sugar canes of different production places and spices.Therefore, absorbances at 420 nm of a plurality of fractions obtainedfrom a raw material are measured and the fractions having a relativelyhigher absorbance are the fraction of the present invention.

[0050] When column chromatography is performed with a syntheticadsorbent packed in a column, active ingredients are adsorbed to thesynthetic adsorbent upon passing a raw material through the column,because they have very strong affinity to the adsorbent. Subsequently,the adsorbed ingredients are desorbed and eluted with a solvent.

[0051] When an ion exchange resin is used as the fixed carrier, affinityof the present active ingredients to the resin is not so strong asadsorption. However, there is a difference of affinity to the ionexchange resin between the active ingredients and the other ingredients.Based on the difference in an eluting speed, the active ingredients canbe separated from the other ingredients by feeding the raw material tothe column and then passing water as an eluent.

[0052] In another embodiment of the invention, a sugar cane-derivedextract is an extract obtained by extracting sugar cane-derived bagassewith a liquid selected from water, hydrophilic solvents, and a mixturethereof, more preferably, an extract obtained by extracting bagasse,which is a residue after milling sugar cane for milling juice with aliquid selected from water, hydrophilic solvents, and a mixture thereof.

[0053] In the invention, sugar cane juice includes mill juice obtainedby milling sugar cane, extracted juice obtained by extracting sugar canewith water, clarified juice obtained by treating with lime in a sugarmill, and concentrated juice.

[0054] In the invention, a liquid extract of sugar cane includes anaqueous solution obtained by extracting sugar cane with a widely usedorganic solvent, concentrating, drying and re-dissolving in water.Examples of the organic solvent include alcohols such as methanol,ethanol and a combination thereof. A mixture of the alcohol with watermay be used.

[0055] In the invention, sugar cane-derived molasses includes molassesobtained by centrifuging a mixture of sugar crystals and a mother liquorobtained in a crystallization process and separating molasses from thesugar crystals, such as first molasses, second molasses, final molassesin a sugar mill, and affination syrup, first to seventh molasses, andrefinery final molasses in a sugar refinery. Also use is made of aresidue deprived of saccharides such as an isolated liquor obtained inalcoholic fermentation of these molasses as a raw material.

[0056] In the invention, bagasse typically means bagasse exhausted insugar manufacturing processes in a sugar mill. Here, the bagasseexhausted in sugar manufacturing processes in a sugar mill include notonly a final bagasse from a final press but also finely crushed sugarcane which is bitten to be in presses of from the first press to thefinal press. Preferably, bagasse exhausted after milled for mill juicein the milling process in the raw sugar plant is used. The waste bagassefrom the milling process varies in a moisture content, sugar content andcomposition depending on sugar cane species, and its harvest time.However, in the present invention, any bagasse can be used. Use is madesimilarly of bagasse exhausted from non-centrifugal sugar (KOKUTOU)plant, which remains after milling sugar cane. In a small scale ofpractice in a laboratory level, use may be made of bagasse remainingafter squeezing sugar cane for press juice.

[0057] More specifically, the sugar cane-derived extract can be preparedas follows.

[0058] First, the present method of column chromatographic treatmentwill be explained.

[0059] Sugar cane juice, liquid extract of sugar cane obtained byextraction with a solvent or sugar cane-derived molasses (hereinaftersimply referred to as a raw material) is passed through a column packedwith a fixed carrier. The aforesaid raw material can be used as such orafter diluted with water to a desired concentration. It is preferred tofilter the raw material before treated with the column to remove anyforeign substances. The filtration means is not restricted to particularone and use may be preferably made of various means widely used in thefood industry such as screen filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration,precision filtration and ultrafiltration.

[0060] As the fixed carrier, a synthetic adsorbent or an ion exchangeresin is preferred.

[0061] First, a preferred embodiment will be explained where a syntheticadsorbent is used as the fixed carrier. As the synthetic adsorbent, usemay be preferably made of organic resins such as aromatic resins,acrylic acid type methacrylic resins and acrylonitrile aliphatic resins.More preferred are the aromatic resins, particularly unsubstitutedaromatic resins. As the synthetic adsorbent, aromatic resins, forexample, styrene-divinylbenzene resin may be used. As the aromaticresin, use may be made of porous resins, for example, aromatic resinshaving hydrophobic substituents, unsubstituted aromatic resins andporous resins such as aromatic resins obtained by subjectingunsubstituted type aromatic resins to a special treatment. Morepreferably, use may be made of the aromatic resins obtained bysubjecting the unsubstituted type aromatic resins to a specialtreatment. These synthetic adsorbents are commercially available as, forexample, Diaion® series, such as HP-10, HP-20, HP-21, HP-30, HP-40 andHP-50 (trade names, ex Mitsubishi Chemicals Inc.: these areunsubstituted aromatic resins), SP-825, SP-800, SP-850 and SP-875, SP-70and SP700 (trade names, ex Mitsubishi Chemicals Inc.: these are aromaticresins obtained by subjecting the unsubstituted type aromatic resins toa special treatment); SP-900 (trade name, ex Mitsubishi Chemicals Inc.,aromatic resin), Amberlight® series such as XAD-2, XAD-4, XAD-16 andXAD-2000 (trade names, ex Organo Inc.: these are aromatic resins);Diaion® series SP-205, SP-206 and SP-207 (trade names, ex MitsubishiChemicals Inc.: these are aromatic resins having hydrophobicsubstituents), HP-2MG and EX-0021 (trade names, ex Mitsubishi ChemicalsInc.: these are aromatic resins having hydrophobic substituents),Amberlight® series XAD-7 and XAD-8 (trade names, ex Organo Inc.: theseare acrylic ester resins), Diaion® series HP1MG and HP2XG (trade names,ex Mitsubishi Chemicals Inc.: these are acrylic acid type methacrylicresins), Sephadex® series LH20 and LH60 (trade names, ex PharmaciaBiotech Inc.: these are cross-linked dextran derivatives) and the like.Among these, SP-850 is particularly preferable.

[0062] The amount of the fixed carrier varies depending upon a size ofthe column, a type of a solvent and a type of the fixed carrier. Apreferable amount is 0.01 to 5 times, as a wet volume, as large as asolid content of the raw material.

[0063] Upon passing the raw material through the aforesaid column,ingredients having the present effect in the raw material are adsorbedto the carrier, and most parts of sucrose, glucose, fructose andinorganic salts pass through the column.

[0064] The ingredients adsorbed to the fixed carrier are eluted with asolvent. In order to efficiently elute the ingredients having thepresent effect, it is preferred to wash the column sufficiently withwater to remove remaining sucrose, glucose, fructose and inorganic saltsout of the column before the elution, whereby the adsorbed ingredientshaving intended effect are recovered efficiently. The eluting solvent isselected from water, methanol, ethanol and a mixture thereof. Preferenceis given to a mixed solvent of water with alcohol, particularly anethanol-water mixture. A mixture of ethanol and water in a volume ratioof 50/50 to 60/40 is more preferred, because the ingredients havingintended effects are eluted efficiently at room temperature. Byelevating a column temperature, one can elute the intended ingredientshaving the present effect with a lower ethanol ratio in theethanol-water mixture which can out. Here, a pressure in the column isan atmospheric pressure or higher. The ingredient having the presenteffect are present in the fractions eluted with the aforesaid solvent.An elution rate varies depending upon a column size, a solvent type anda type of the fixed carrier, and is not restricted to a particular rate.However, SV is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 hour⁻¹, where SV isa space velocity representing how many times a liquid volume as theresin volume is passed per hour.

[0065] The ingredients having the present effects may be obtainedpreferably in the following manner, but is not limited to it. That is, araw material is passed through a column packed with an unsubstitutedaromatic resin having a wet volume 0.01 to 5 times as much as a solidcontent of the raw material at a column temperature of 60 to 97° C.After washing the resin in the column with water, the ingredientsadsorbed to the resin are eluted at a column temperature of 20 to 40° C.with a mixture of ethanol and water in a volume ratio of 50/50 to 60/40and the fractions are collected until a volume of the eluent collectedfrom the beginning of the elution becomes 4 times as much as the wetvolume of the aforesaid resin.

[0066] Meanwhile, a preferred embodiment with an ion exchange resin asthe fixed carrier will be described below. Ion exchange resins areclassified into a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange resin froma viewpoint of an ion exchanging property. In the present invention, acation exchange resin is preferably used. More preferably, a stronglyacidic type, sodium ion form, or potassium ion form of cation exchangeresins are used. Ion exchange resins are also classified, from amorphological viewpoint, into a gel type resin and a porous type resinsuch as a porous type, a macroporous type, and a highly porous type. Inthe present invention, a gel type ion exchange resin is preferably used.More preferably, a gel type cation exchange resin of a strongly acidictype, in a sodium ion form or in potassium ion form is used. Such ionexchange resins are commercially available, for example, include Diaion®series SK1B, SK104, SK110, SK112, SK116(all trade names, ex MitsubishiChemicals Co.), UBK530, UBK550 (chromatographic grades, trade names, exMitsubishi Chemicals Co.), Amberlite® series Amberlite IR120B, IR120BN,IR124, XT1006, IR118, Amberlist 31, chromatographic grade AmberliteCG120, CG6000 (trade names, ex Organo Co.), Dowex® series such as HCR-S,HCR-W2, HGR-W2, Monosphere 650C, marason C600, 50Wx2, 50Wx4, 50Wx8(alltrade names, ex Dow Chemical Japan Co.), Muromac 50WX (trade name, exMuromachi Chemical Industry Co.), and Purolite series C-100E, C-100,C-100x10, C-120E, PCR433, PCR563K, PCR822, PCR833, PCR866, PCR883,PCR892, PCR945 (all trade names, ex AMP Ionex Co.) Among these, UBKseries are particularly preferred.

[0067] The amount of the fixed carrier varies depending upon a size ofcolumn and a type of the fixed carrier. Preferably, the amount, as a wetvolume, is 2 to 10,000 times, more preferably 5 to 500 times, as largeas a solid content of the raw material.

[0068] The raw material is passed through the aforesaid column and thensubjected to a chromatographic treatment with water as the eluent. Outof many fractions obtained, those absorbing 420 nm light are collectedto obtain the intended extract. Hereinafter, this treatment method maybe referred to as ion chromatographic separation.

[0069] The separation conditions vary depending on composition of theraw material and a type of the fixed carrier. In a single column batchseparation using degassed water as the eluent, preferred conditions areas follows: a flow rate, as SV, of from 0.3 to 1.0 hr−1, charge amountof the raw material of from 1 to 20% of a volume of the ion exchangeresin, and temperature of from 40 to 70° C. For each of the fractionsobtained by this separation method, absorbance at a wave length of 420nm, electric conductivity, which is a measure of a salt content,contents of sucrose, glucose, and fructose are determined. When thesedata are plotted against time, peaks in the absorbance at 420 nm, in theelectric conductivity, in the sucrose content and in the content of areducing sugar are found in this sequence. In FIG. 3, the fractions offrom 3rd to 14th are collected as the fractions absorbing the light of awave length of 420 nm. Particularly, fractions of from 3rd to 8th arepreferred. The entire less-sugar fractions consisting of fractions of1st to 9th, including fractions 3rd to 8th, and the fractions of 18th to30th, may as well be used as the present extract, though a concentrationof the active ingredients is lower. For a pseudo moving-bed continuousseparation method, general separation conditions cannot be presentedhere because a charge rate of the raw material, a flow rate of aneluent, and a withdrawal flow rate are set according to a composition ofthe raw material, a type of the fixed carrier, and an amount of ionexchange resin.

[0070] The present fractions obtained by pseudo moving-bed continuousseparation using a 2nd molasses from a raw sugar mill as the rawmaterial comprise, at most 6% of sucrose and at most 90% of non-sugarcomponent, based on a solid content, and have an apparent purity of 10%,though the composition varies depending on a type of the raw materialand a separation capability of the ion exchange resin. The apparentpurity is a percentage of a polarization per solid content (Brix:Bx),where polarization is an angle of rotation measured with a sucrometerrelative to a pure sucrose standard of a specified concentration.

[0071] The present fractions obtained by a single column batchseparation method using a 2nd molasses as the raw material contain about5% of polyphenols, about 44.7% of electrically conductive salts andabout 5% of sugar, based on a freeze-dried solid content.

[0072] It is clear that the present active ingredients are containedmore in the fractions corresponding to the peak of absorbance at a wavelength of 420 nm, but it has not yet been clear whether the activeingredients themselves absorb light of 420 nm.

[0073] The aforesaid fractions absorbing light at a wave length of 420nm or the less-sugar fractions may be treated further by electrodialysisto thereby decrease or remove salts contained in the fractions. Thefractions obtained by column chromatography with an ion exchange resincontain salts in an amount so much as about 40% of sulfate ash, based ona dried solid. Consequently, the fractions taste very salty and affecttaste of foods. To allow man to take the fractions, the salt contentshould be decreased because too much intake of salts is bad for health.This applies also to animals and there is a maximum permissible saltintake. Especially for domestic animals, an amount of each kind of saltto be given is regulated, to which salt contents in a formula feed isconformed. Therefore, for application in domestic animal foods, thesugar cane-derived extract preferably contains a lower amount of thesalts. Accordingly, it is preferred to decrease the salts contents ofthe obtained tractions.

[0074] In desalinization by electrodialysis, cations such as sodium ion,potassium ion, calcium ion, and magnesium ion are removed almost equallyregardless of ion species. As to anions, it is known that chloride ionis selectively removed than sulfate ion which is not removed so well.Cation and anion are removed in an equivalent ratios.

[0075] Now, a method of preparing the sugar-cane derived extract byextracting bagasse will be explained. The bagasse extract is prepared byextracting bagasse with a solvent selected from the group consisting ofwater, hydrophilic solvents and a mixture thereof. Examples of thehydrophilic solvents include lower alcohols such as methanol andethanol, ketones such as acetone, and acetates such as methyl acetateand ethyl acetate. Ethanol is a preferred hydrophilic solvent. Apreferred solvent for the extraction is a mixture of ethanol and waterin a volume ratio of at most 60/40, more preferably at most 50/50. Forefficient extraction, an extraction temperature of from 50 to 100° C. ispreferred. An extraction time is usually 1 to 3 hours, though thisvaries depending on bagasse's source, type, and state. Any commonly usedmethod for extraction maybe used such as extraction in a container wherebagasse and the extracting solvent are placed together, extraction bycirculating the extracting solvent, continuous extraction using, forexample, a Desmet extrator and a Lurgi extractor. The extract from thebagasse contains much saccharides, so that it may be subjected to columnchromatograpic treatment similar to the aforesaid method to therebyremove the saccharides.

[0076] The present active ingredients may be obtained by condensing theextract from cane sugar prepared by any of the aforesaid variousmethods, in a conventional method such as evaporation of the solventunder vacuum and freeze-drying. The active ingredients thus obtained maybe stored in a form of a condensed liquid with at least 20% of solidcontent or powder. Preferably, it is stored in a refrigerator,particularly when it is liquid.

[0077] As will be shown later in Test Example 4, the present sugarcane-derived extract comprises not only one active ingredient but aplurality of active ingredients and has different condensed compositionsof the active ingredients depending on the method of preparation.

[0078] Preventives or remedies for infection hitherto known generallycomprise a single active component or a plurality of similar activecomponents, so that it is apprehended that a long-term or large amountof dosage would cause side effects in contrast, the present sugarcane-derived extract comprises many components of a wide range ofmolecular weights and is more natural.

[0079] The present sugar cane-derived extract shows preventive orremedial effects for infection against bacteria and viruses in an animalexperiment where the sugar cane-derived extract was orally administeredto mice (see Examples 1 to 4). It is believed that the present sugarcane-derived extract control immunological system to thereby prevent orremedy infection.

[0080] Therefore, the present invention may be applied to prevent orremedy diseases caused by weakness or deficiency of immunologicalfunction through control of immunological function of man or animals thepresent invention may be applied also to prevent or remedy various kindsof infectious disease.

[0081] Such diseases are not limited to particular ones. In the case ofman, examples include articular rheumatism, glomerulonepheritis,hemolytic anemia, bronchial asthma, Behcet's disease, Hashimoto'sdisease, polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune diseasessuch as progressive systemic sclerosis and some sorts of tumors,infectious disease of a whole body, respiratory systems, urinary tracts,intestines, intra-abdomens, mucus membranes, or circulatory organs,various kinds of infectious diseases of children with nutritionaldisturbances, aged persons, or those who are under administration ofanticancer agents or operative invasions. In the case of animals,examples include diarrhea, epidemic pneumonia and infectiousgastroenteritis of pig, avian pneumonia and Marek disease, bovinediarrhea, pneumonia and mastitis, and feline immunodeficiency syndromeand leukemia. Also, infectious diseases of cultured fish are not limitedto particular ones and examples include bacterial infection such asstreptococcosis, pasteurellosis and virus infection.

[0082] Examples of bacterial infection include human Salmonellosis(Salmonella enteritidis, S. dublin), Vibrio parahaemolyticus, typhoidfever (Salmonella typhi), infectious E.coli infectious disease(Escherichia coli), tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), bacillarydysentery (Shigella dysenteriae, S. flexneri), pertussis (Bordetellapertussis), diphtheria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae), Hansen disease(Mycobacterium leprae), plague (Yersinia pestis), bovine mastitis(Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptcoccus agalactiae,Actinomyces pyogenes), Brucella disease (Brucella abortus),Campylobacter disease (Campylobacter fetus), anthrax (Bacillusanthracis), Johne's disease (Mycobacterium avium), bovine infectiouskeratoconjuctivitis (Moraxella bovis), pasteurellosis (Pasteurellamultocida and Pasteurella haemolytica), trichophytia interdigitalis(Fusobacterium necrophorum), glanders (Bordetella mallei), horseinfectious uteritis (Taylorella equigenitalis), relapsing fever(Borrelia theileri), porcine atrophic rhinitis (Bordetellabronchiseptica), porcine erysipelas (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae),Glasser disease (Haemophilus parasuis), chicken diarrhea with whitestool (Salmonella pullorum), domestic avian cholera (Pasteurellamultocida), infectious coryza (Haemophilus paragallinarum), atypicalmycobacterial disease (Mycobacterium avium), canine ocular leptospirosis(Leptospira canicola), tetanus (Clostridium tetani), ichthyicEnterococcus infection (Enterococcus seriolicida), pasteurellosis(Pasteurella piscicida), Vivrio disease (Vivrio anguillarum),Edwardsiella infection (Edwardsiella tarda), coldwater disease(Flavobacterium psychrophilus), red mouth disease (Yersinia ruckeri),Aeromonas infection (Aeromonas hydrophila), nocardiosis (Nocardiaasteroides, Nocardia seriolae).

[0083] Examples of viral diseases include human influenza (Humaninfluenzavirus), human herpes (Human herpesvirus 3), humanimmunodeficiency syndrome (Human immunodeficiency syndrome virus),poliomyelitis (Polio virus), rubella (Rubella virus), measles (Measlesvirus), variola (Variola virus, Japanese encephalitis (Japaneseencephalitis virus), epidemic parotitis (Mumps virus), Ebola hemorrhagicfever (Ebola virus), dengue fever (Dengue virus), Marburg disease(Marburg virus), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (Lymphocyticchoriomeningitis virus), human T-lymphocyte leukemia (HumanT-lymphotrophic virus), Yellow fever (Yellow fever virus), Bovineinfectious rhinotracheitis (Bovine herpesvirus 1), bovine Foot-and-mouthdisease (Foot-and-mouth disease virus), bovine ephemeral fever (Bovineephemeral fever virus), Cowpox (Cowpox virus), Akaban disease (Akabanevirus), Ibaraki disease (Ibaraki virus), Bluetongue (Bluetongue virus),Shipping fever (Bovine parainfluenza virus), Rift Valley fever (Riftvalley fever virus), equine infectious anemia (Equine infectious anemiavirus), equine arteritis (Equine arteritis virus), Borna disease (Bornavirus), equine rhinopneumonitis (Equid herpesvirus 4), easter equineencephalitis (Eastern equine encephalitis virus), porcine transmissiblegastroenteritis (Porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus), porcinereproductive and respiratory syndrome (Porcine reproductive andrespiratory syndrome virus), Aujeszky's disease (Pseudorabies virus),hog cholera (Hog cholera virus), porcine vesicular disease (Swinevesicular disease virus), swine inclusion body rhinitis (Suidherpesvirus 2), avian infectious bursal disease (Infectious bursaldisease virus), Newcastle disease (Newcastle disease virus), avian pox(Fowlpox virus). Marek's disease (Marek's disease virus), Infectiouslaryngotracheitis (Infectious laryngotracheitis virus), Avian infectiousbronchitis (Avian infectious bronchitis virus), canine rabies (Rabiesvirus), canine distemper (Canine distemper virus), infectious hepatitis(Canine adenovirus 1), canine parvovirus infection (Canine parvovirus),Feline leukemia (Feline leukemia virus), Feline immnodeficiency syndrome(Feline immnodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis (Felineinfectious peritonitis virus), Feline panleukopenia (Felinepanleukopenia virus), ichthyic Iridovirus infection (Flouder virus),Infectious haemotopoietic necrosis (Infectious haemotopoietic necrosisvirus), infectious pancreatic necrosis (Infectious pancreatic necrosisvirus), fugu white mouth disease (unidentified).

[0084] Examples of fungous diseases include human coccidioidomycosis(Coccidioides immitis), histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum), bovinemastitis (Candida tropicalis), miscarriage (Aspergillus fumigatus),dermatomycosis (Trichophyton verrucosum), mucormycosis (Mucorrasemosus), equine gluttural pouch myosis (Aspergillus nidulans),infectious lymphadenosis (Histoplasma farciminosum), equinetrichophytosis (Trichophyton equinum), avian ingluviitis (Candidaalbicans), Aspergillus pneumonia (Aspergillus fumigatus), canineblastomycosis (Blastomyces dermatitidis), dermatomycosis (Microsporumcanis), lymphadenosis (Histoplasma capsulatum), Malasseziasis(Malassezia pachydermatis), ichthyic Saprolegnia infection (Saprolegniaparasitica), visceral mycosis (Saprolegnia diclina), mycetogenicgranuloma (Aphanomyces piscicida), Pythium infection (Pythium gracile),tympania (Candida sake).

[0085] Examples of infectious disease by mycoplasma include bovineMycoplasma pneumoniae (Mycoplasma mycoides), Mycoplasma mastitis(Mycoplasma bovis), ovine infectious agalactia (Mycoplasma agalactiae),hog epidemic pneumonia (Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae), avian chronic upperair passage inflammation (Mycoplasma gallisepticum).

[0086] Examples of infectious disease by rickettsia include human typhus(Rickettsia prowazekii), Q fever (Coxiella burnetii), feline scratchdisease (Bartonella henselae), bovine haemorrhagic fever (Ehrlichiaondiri), equine Potomac fever (Ehrlichia risticii), canine ehrlichiainfection (Ehrlichia canis).

[0087] Examples of infectious disease by chlamydia include humanpsittacosis (Chlamidia psittaci), bovine epidemic miscarriage (Chlamydiapsittaci), sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis (Chlamydia pecorum), ovineepidemic hydrohymenitis (Chlamydia pecorum), chlamydia hamarthritis(Chlamydia pecorum), feline chlamydia pneumonia (Chlamydia psittaci).

[0088] The present sugar cane-derived extract showed a significantincrease in a survival ratio in an endotoxin model where the sugarcane-derived extract was orally administered to experimental animals oneday before and 6 hours after an intravenous administration of endotoxin.This indicates that the sugar cane-derived extract itself or itsmetabolite acts on the endotoxin present in blood to decompose,agglomerate, or cause any change in a state of the endotoxin toneutralize it, to suppress excessive activation of complement by theendotoxin, serves as a radical scavenger, suppress inflammatorycytokine, or decreases efficiency of endotoxin through any mechanism, tothereby have anti-endotoxin effects. Therefore, the present sugarcane-derived extract can be used to prevent or remedy diseases caused byendotoxin. Such diseases are not limited to particular ones and includesepsis causing severe general symptoms such as fever, chill, vomitingand disturbance of consciousness, endotoxin shock, and oral diseases byendotoxin such as periodontal bacteria. Examples of bacterium havingsuch endotoxin include Gram negative baterium such as Escherichia coli(E.coli), pneumobacilli, proteus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, andenterobacter.

[0089] The present sugar cane-derived extract also acts as a vaccineadjuvant and a growth promoter, as will be demonstrated in the Examples.

[0090] Administration timing of the present preventive or remedy forinfection, anti-endotoxin agent, or growth promoter is not limited. Theadministration timing of the present vaccine adjuvant is not limited andmay be before, on or after the day of administration of vaccine.Generally, it is administered on and/or after vaccination. Byadministrating before the vaccination, more reliable effects can beexpected. At least one administration is enough and continuous orintermittent administration over a period of from one day to one weekbefore the vaccination and from one week to two weeks after thevaccination is preferred. Further continued administration for 1 to 6months may be made with no problem.

[0091] A Dosage of the present preventive or remedy for infection,anti-endotoxin agent, vaccine adjuvants or growth promoter is notlimited and may be decided depending on purity and a form of the sugarcane-derived extract, type, health state or a stage of growth of anobject animal. For example, a dosage of the sugar cane-derived extractpowder prepared in Preparation Examples 1 to 7 described later in thespecification is 1 to 1000 mg, preferably 50 to 1000 mg per kg bodyweight.

[0092] The present sugar cane-derived extract may be administered in anymeans such as oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous,intracutaneous, intra-abdominal, intrarectal and hypoglossaladmistraion, endermism, instillation to exert a preventive or remedialeffect, anti-endotoxin effect, vaccine adjuvant effect, or growthpromoting effect.

[0093] The present extract may be administered in any form. The extractin the form of liquid or powder may be administered as such or may bemade into solid or liquid preparation with a carrier for preparation bya known method. Alternatively, the present extract, either prepared ornot prepared, may be mixed in a food, a feed, or drinking water.

[0094] A solid preparation for oral administration may be made by addingdiluent bases, binders, bonding agents, disintegrator, lubricants andbrightener, colorants, flavor and odor controller, antioxidants, anddissolution aids to the present extract and making the mixture intopellets, coated pellets, granules, powder, or capsulated drugs.

[0095] The examples of the aforesaid diluent bases include starch, cornstarch, dextrin, flour, wheat middling, bran, rice bran, rice bran oilcake, soybean cake, soybean powder, soybean oil cake, soybean flour,glucose, lactose, white sugar, maltose, plant oil, animal oil, hardenedoil, saturated higher fatty acids, other kinds of fatty acids, yeast,mannitol, crystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, silicic anhydride,calcium silicate, silicic acid, calcium hydrogenphosphate, calciumphosphate, and calcium dihydrogenphosphate.

[0096] Examples of the binders include polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethylcellulose, methyl cellulose, gum arabic, tragacanth gun, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, sodiumcasein, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, propylene glycol, andpoly(sodium acrylate).

[0097] Examples of the lubricant and brightener include magnesiumstearate, talc and stearic acid.

[0098] As the colorant and flavor or essence, any such agents allowed tobe added to drugs, foods, or feeds may be used.

[0099] Examples of the antioxidants include ascorbic acid,α-tocopherrol, ethoxyqin, dibutylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole andthose allowed to be added to drugs, foods, or feeds. Tablets or granulesmay be coated as desired.

[0100] An injection medicine may be prepared by adding pH adjustingagents, buffers, suspending agents, dissolving aids, stabilizers,isotonic agents, antioxidants, preservatives and processing them by aknown method. Here, the medicine may be freeze-dried medicine. Injectionmay be made intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly.

[0101] Examples of the suspending agents include methyl cellulose,polysolvate 80, hydroxyethyl cellulose, gum arabic, tragacanth gumpowder, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyoxyethylenesorbitanmonolaurate.

[0102] Examples of the dissolving aids include polyoxyethylene hardenedcastor oil, polysolvate 80, nicotinic amide and polyoxyethylenesorbitanmonolaurate.

[0103] Examples of the preservatives include methyl paraoxybezoate,ethyl paraoxybezoate, and sorbic acid.

[0104] The present invention also relates to a food or an animal feedcomprising the aforesaid preventive or remedy for infection,anti-endotoxin agent, vaccine adjuvant or growth promoter. The food oranimal feed may be in a form of solid or liquid. Examples of the foodinclude confectionery, soft drinks, functional seasoning, and healthfoods. Examples of the animal feed include pet foods such as dog foodsand cat foods, domestic animal feeds and feeds for cultured fish andshellfish.

EXAMPLES

[0105] The present invention will be more specifically explained. Thedescription on a dose such as “10 mg/kg” or “10 mg/kg weight” means 10mg of a dose per kg of body weight.

Preparation Example 1

[0106] Six hundred and fifty liters of a mill juice (solid content of18.8%) obtained in a sugar preparation process in a sugar mill wereheated to 80° C. with a juice heater and then filtered through a tubulartype ultrafiltration membrane (Daicel Chemical industries Ltd., typeMH-25, an effective membrane area of 2 m²×3 tubes, exclusion molecularweight of 100,000) to obtain about 600 liters of the treated juice.

[0107] Fifteen liters of a synthetic adsorbent (SP-850, trade name, exMitsubishi Chemical Co.) were packed in a column provided with a waterjacket (column size: an inner diameter of 17.0 cm and a height of 100cm). The aforesaid treated juice was passed through the column at a flowrate of 30 liters/hour (Space Velocity=2 hour⁻¹). During the passage ofthe filtered sugar cane juice, water at 65° C. was always circulated inthe water jacket. Then, the column was washed by passing 45 liters ofion exchanged water through the column at a flow rate of 30 liters/hour(SV=2 hour⁻¹). After the washing with the ion exchanged water, it wasconfirmed that Brix of the effluent was about zero, measured by aHandref Brix meter (ex Atago Company, type N-1E). Then, an aqueous 55%ethanol solution (ethanol/water=55/45 in volume ratio) as an elutingsolvent was passed through the column at a flow rate of 30 liters/hour(SV=2.0 hour⁻¹) to elute ingredients adsorbed to the syntheticadsorbent. During the passage of the eluting solvent, water at 25° C.was always circulated in the water jacket. The effluent from the columnwas collected in each portion of 5 liters. The elution pattern is asshown in FIG. 1, where (1) indicates a starting point of passing thefiltered sugar cane juice; (2), a starting point of the washing with ionexchanged water; and (3), a starting point of the elution with theaqueous 55% ethanol solution. In the figure, the filled circles showabsorbance at 420 nm and the empty squares show Brix of each fraction.The fraction eluded with the aqueous 55% ethanol solution (correspondingto part “A” in FIG. 1) was condensed approximately 20 times under vacuumwith a concentrator. After freeze-drying the concentrate overnight, 460g of brown powder, i.e., sugar cane-derived extract, was obtained.

Preparation Example 2

[0108] Six hundred liters of a clarified juice (solid content of 11.7%)obtained in a sugar preparation process in a sugar mill were treated inthe same manner as in Preparation Example 1 except that the juice wasnot treated by ultrafiltration. The elution pattern is as shown in FIG.2, where (1) indicates a starting point of passing the clarified juice;(2), a starting point of the washing with ion exchanged water; (3), astarting point of the elution with the aqueous 55% ethanol solution. Thefraction “B” in FIG. 2, was collected and condensed under vacuum. Afterfreeze-drying the concentrate overnight, 225 g of brown powder, i.e.,sugar cane-derived extract, was obtained.

Preparation Example 3

[0109] One kilogram of dried bagasse obtained in a sugar mill was put ina bag made of nylon net and the bag containing bagasse was placed in atank, to which 25 liters of water at 80° C. was added, and extractionwas carried out with stirring. After one hour extraction, the liquidextract obtained was filtered with a cotton filter to remove foreignsubstances. The filtrate was concentrated under vacuum with acentrifugal thin-layer concentrator. After freeze-drying the concentrateovernight, 26.31 g of dark brown powder, i.e., sugar cane-derivedextract, was obtained.

Preparation Example 4

[0110] Three hundred and fifty grams of dried bagasse obtained in asugar mill were put in a nylon net bag and placed in a tank, to which5250 ml of an ethanol/water of a volume ratio of 50/50 was added, andextraction was carried out with stirring. After two-hour extraction, theliquid obtained was filtered with a No.2 filter paper, ex Advantec ToyoCo., to remove foreign substances. The filtrate was concentrated undervacuum with an evaporator. After freeze-drying the concentrate overnight6.72 g of dark brown powder, i.e., sugar cane-derived extract, wasobtained.

Preparation Example 5 Separation by Pseudo Moving-Bed ColumnChromatography Using an Ion Exchange Resin

[0111] A second molasses was subjected to ion exchange columnchromatographic separation using a pseudo moving-bed of a cationexchange resin, which molasses had been obtained by collecting sucrosecrystals twice in a boiling pan in a sugar mill and centrifuging aremaining syrup to remove crystals.

[0112] The processes from raw material preparation to ion exchangecolumn chromatographic separation were run continuously, and the solidcontent and composition shown below are those measured in a steadyoperation, although they vary a little with time.

[0113] The second molasses had a Brix of about 85. This concentrationwas too high to be treated by column chromatography, so that themolasses was diluted to a Brix of about 50. To this, slaked lime andsodium carbonate were added to agglomerate impurities and then filteredthrough diatomaceous earth. The filtrate obtained had a Brix of 47.3,polarization of 23.6, purity of 49.9 and reducing sugar content of 2.5%.This filtrate was subjected to ion exchange chromatography.

[0114] Ion exchange chromatography vas carried out in a pseudo movingbed continuous separation method using a cation exchange resin, UBK530,ex Mitsubishi Chemical Co. The separation column packed with the resinhad 8 sections, each of which contained 6.5 m³ of the resin. The liquidfeed and water as an eluent were continuously supplied to a differentsection at every predetermined time interval and a fraction containingsucrose and one containing less sucrose were taken out from differentsections at every predetermined time interval. Operating conditions in asteady state were as follows: the flow rate of the Seed stream was 3m/hr; the eluent water flow rate was 13.5 m³/hr; the withdrawing rate ofthe fraction with less sucrose was 12.13 m³/hr; the withdrawing rate ofthe sucrose-containing fraction was 4.37 m³/hr; and the switchinginterval was 267 seconds. By this chromatographic treatment, thesucrose-containing fraction and the fraction with less sucrose wereseparated from each other. The former corresponds to fractions 10 to 17in FIG. 3, and the latter to fractions 1 to 9 and fractions 18 to 30.The sucrose-containing fraction had a sucrose content, determined byHPLC, of about 87% per solid weight and a Brix of about 35. Thisfraction was combined with the clarified juice and recycled to mainprocess to recover sucrose again. The fraction with less sucrose had asucrose content, determined by HPLC, of about 0.3% and a Brix of about8. This fraction was condensed in a vacuum pan to a Brix of 40.0,polarization of 2.3, purity of 5.8 and reducing sugar content of 5.4%.This fraction was freeze-dried overnight to be used in further tests.Zero point twenty five gram of the freeze-dried powder obtained wasdissolved in 0.5 mM phosphate buffer at pH of 7.5 a total volume of 100ml, of which absorbance at 420 nm was determined to be 1.11.

Preparation Example 6 Fractionation of a Second Molasses by SingleColumn Batch Separation Using an Ion Exchange Resin

[0115] A liquid prepared by treating a second molasses obtained in asugar mill was subjected to single column batch ion chromatographicseparation.

[0116] The liquid was prepared by diluting a second molasses and washingwith sodium carbonate, and filtering through diatomaseous earth. Thisliquid raw material had a Brix of 47.4, polarization of 23.2, purity of48.9 and a reducing sugar content of 3.2%.

[0117] This liquid raw material was subjected to fractionation by singlecolumn batch ion chromatographic separation using FPLC system (PharmaciaCo.). The column was packed with 500 ml of gel type of a strongly acidiccation exchange resin in sodium form, UEK 530, ex Mitsubishi ChemicalCo. The column had an inner diameter of 26 mm and a height of 1000 mm,equipped with a flow adapter. Degassed distilled water as an eluent waspassed at a flow rate of SV=0.5 hr⁻¹ (4.17 ml/min) at 60° C.

[0118] About 25 ml of the raw material was fed to the column. Collectionof the effluent was started about 30 minutes after feeding the rawmaterial. The effluent was collected for 3.6 min. per test tube (about15 ml per tube), and the effluent of 30 tubes in total was recovered.

[0119] Each of the 30 fractions was analyzed for absorbance at 420 nm,electric conductivity, and sugar content. The results are as shown inFIG. 3. To measure absorbance at 420 nm, 0.1 ml of each fraction wasdiluted with 2 ml of 0.5 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.5. To measureelectric conductivity, each fraction was diluted with distilled water to0.5%. A sucrose content was measured by HPLC.

[0120] To examine relationship of an anti-virus activity to each of thechromatographic peaks, the fractions corresponding to the peak of theabsorbance at 420 nm were grouped into 4 samples; those corresponding tothe sucrose peak into 3 samples; and those corresponding to the effluentlater than the sucrose peak into 1 sample. That is, fractions 3 and 4were combined together as sample 1; fractions 5 and 6 as sample 2;fractions 7 and 8 as sample 3; fractions 9 and 10 as sample 4; fractions11 and 12 as sample 5; fractions 13 and 14 as sample 6; fractions 15 and16 as sample 7; and fractions from 17 to 30 as sample 8. Fractions 1 and2 were discarded since almost nothing was eluted. Each sample wasfreeze-dried overnight to become powder. Zero point twenty five gram ofthe freeze-dried powder obtained was dissolved in 0.5 mM phosphatebuffer at pH 7.5 to a total volume of 100 ml of which absorbance at 420nm was determined. The results are as shown in Table 1. Sample 8 had arelatively high absorbance of 0.86, because it was a collection of thetail of the peak. While the samples other than sample 8 were each amixture of two fractions, sample 8 was a mixture of 14 fractions.Therefore, sample 8 has a higher absorbance, but it is not efficient forthe present purpose to collect those fractions only. In Table 1, theelectric conductivity ash content was calculated from a factordetermined from a correlation of electric conductivities with knownsulfate ash contents.

[0121] The analytical results are as shown in Table 1. In the table, adistribution ratio of a freeze-dried solid content means a weight ratioof a solid content of each sample to a total solid content of the entiresamples. The electric conductivity ash content and the content of eachsaccharide are ratios of those to a solid content of each sample.

[0122] Judging from each of the saccharides contents, it is seen thatsamples 1 to 3 correspond to a fraction with less sugar and samples 4 to8 to a sugar-containing fraction. TABLE 1 Analytical Data of 2ndMolasses Samples Fractionated with an Ion Exchange Resin ElectricDistribution ratio conductivity Sucrose Glucose Fructose of afreeze-dried ash content content content content solid content(%) (%)(%) (%) (%) Absorbance Sample 1 3.1 32.9 0 0 0 2.72 Sample 2 7.2 39.7 00 0 2.01 Sample 3 10.7 51.4 10.4 0 0 0.83 Sample 4 21.9 32.6 45.6 1.40.7 0.33 Sample 5 25.9 18.8 64.2 2.9 1.3 0.16 Sample 6 19.6 10 73.5 4.72.3 0.11 Sample 7 8.4 3.5 74 6.2 3.2 0.14 Sample 8 3.1 3.3 29.8 4.5 4.40.86 Separated liquid by — 43.7 5.9 0.9 1.4 1.04 Ion chromatography

Preparation Example 7 Desalinization of the Extract Obtained by IonChromatographic Separation

[0123] Using an electrodialysis bath, CH-0, ex Asahi Glass Co., providedwith a cation exchange membrane, Selemion CMV, and an anion exchangemembrane, Selemion AMV, both ex Asahi Glass Co., the sugar cane-derivedextract (condensed liquid extract) prepared in Preparation Example 5 wasdesalinized by electrodialysis.

[0124] Ten liters of a 100 g/l sodium chloride solution as a condensingsolution, and 4.0 liters of a 50 g/l sodium sulfate solution as anelectrode solution were used. As a raw material, 10.7 liters of the ionchromatography effluent was used.

[0125] Operating conditions were as follows. An electric voltage waskept constant at 3.0V. Initially, an electric current was 8.15A, whichgradually decreased as desalinization proceeded. When 5 hours passed,the electric current was 1.6 A, 8 liters of the condensing liquid weretaken out and 8 liters of water was added for dilution. Subsequently,the operation was resumed and continued for 7 hours in total. The finalelectric current was 0.6A. Progress of the desalinization was monitoredby measuring chloride ion and sulfate ion concentrations in thedesalinized liquid with time. In the desalinization by electrodialysis,equivalent amounts of anion and cation are removed. Cations such aspotassium ion, sodium ion, calcium ion, and magnesium ion are removedalmost equally regardless of ion species, but anions such as chlorideion and sulfate ion are removed on a different ratio. In this Example,concentrations of chloride ion and sulfate ion per dried solid, astypical anions, were determined by HPLC and their removal ratios werecalculated. At the beginning of the desalinization, a content ofchloride ion per dried solid of the extract to be desalinized was 5.45wt %, that of sulfate ion was 7.41 wt %, and that of sulfate salts was43.0 wt %. After completion of the desalinization, a content of chlorideion per dried solid was 0.03 wt % (removal ratio of 99.4%), that ofsulfate ion was 6.61 wt % (removal ratio of 10.8%), and that of sulfatesalts was 34.7 wt % (removal ratio of 19.3%).

[0126] By electrodialysis, only a little quantity of sulfate ion wasremoved, but most of chloride ion was removed. The obtained extract wasfreeze-dried overnight to become powder. Zero point twenty five gram ofthe obtained powder was dissolved in 0.5 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.5to a total volume of 100 ml of which absorbance at 420 nm was measured.The absorbance was 1.26.

Test Example 1 Acute Toxicity Test of Sugar Cane-Derived Extract

[0127] Using the extract powder prepared in Preparation Example 1, atoxicity test by single oral administration was carried out using ratsSixteen male and sixteen female Sprauge-Dawley line SPF rats(Crj:CD(SD)) of 5 week-old were quarantined and fed for about a week.Healthy rats were selected and subjected to the test at 6 week-age. Atthe time of administration, the male rats weighed from 157 to 171 g andthe female rats from 123 to 133 g.

[0128] The rats were fed in an animal room lit for 12 hours at atemperature of 23+/−3° C., a relative humidity of 50+/−2%, and aventilation frequency of 10 to 15 times per hour, in which the rats wereallowed to freely intake solid food, CRF-1, trade name, ex OrientalYeast Co., and drinking water. To the rats fasted overnight (for about16 hours) before the day of the administration, the sugar cane-derivedextract powder of a predetermined concentration was forciblyadministered orally one time at 10 ml/kg body weight. To a controlgroup, sterilized distilled water only was administered in the similarmanner. Feeding was resumed 6 hours after the administration.

[0129] In addition to the control group, there were 2 groups withdifferent dosages of 200 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. Thus, 3 groups in totalwere tested. Each group consisted of 5 males and 5 females. The resultsare as shown in Table 2. TABLE 2 Toxicity Test by a Single OralAdministration Concen- tration (weight/ Administered the the volumevolume (ml/kg number number %) body weight) sex of rats of deaths animalNo. 0 10 male 5 0/5 1001˜1005 0 10 female 5 0/5 1101˜1105 2 10 male 50/5 2001˜2005 2 10 female 5 0/5 2101˜2105 10 10 male 5 0/5 3001˜3005 1010 female 5 0/5 3101˜3105

[0130] A lethal dose is estimated to be larger than 1000 mg/kg, becauseneither female nor male rat died 14 days after the administration of themaximum dosage of 1000 mg/kg.

[0131] During the feeding of the rats, no abnormality was observed inany of the rats. In addition, the dosed groups showed almost identicalchange in body weight with that of the control group, and their increasein body weight during the observation period is almost the same as thatof the control group. In an anatomical examination, no rat showedabnormality in organs and tissues in the body surface, head, chest, andabdominal region.

[0132] Judging from the aforesaid results, toxicity of the extractpowder obtained in Preparation Example 1 is extremely low, when thepowder is orally administered to a rat one time.

Test Example 2 Antibacterial Activity of the Sugar Cane-Derived ExtractAgainst E.coli

[0133] Using each of the extract powders prepared in PreparationExamples 1 to 4, minimum growth inhibiting concentrations (MIC, μg/ml)for 6 strains of Escherichia coli (E.coli) were determined according tothe method specified by the Japanese Chemotherapy Association. Theextract was dissolved in and diluted with sterilized distilled water tofive levels of concentration of 100 μg/ml, 300 μg/ml, 1000 μg/ml, 3000μg/ml, and 10000 μg/ml and MIC was determined. MIC was found to be 10000μg/ml for all of the 6 strains of E.coli, so that no strongantibacterial activity was observed. The results are as shown in Table 3below. TABLE 3 Minimum Growth Inhibiting Concentration for Each of theBacteria (μg/ml) Exatract in Exatract in Exatract in Exatract in Prep.Prep. Prep. Prep. Name of bacteria Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example4 Escherichia coli 10000 10000 10000 10000 NIHJ Escherichia coli 1000010000 10000 10000 C-1 Escherichia coli 10000 10000 10000 10000 C-2Escherichia coli 10000 10000 10000 10000 C-3 Escherichia coli 1000010000 10000 10000 TK-18A Escherichia coli 10000 10000 10000 10000 E01292

[0134] Similar tests were carried out for several strains of otherbacteria, yeast and fungus. MICs for bacteria (Pseudomonasaureofaciens), yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hansenula anomala,etc.) and fungi (Chaetomium globsum) were 1000 μg/ml, which indicates astronger antibacterial activity than that against E.coli.

Test Example 3 Proliferation-Inhibiting Property of the SugarCane-Derived Extract

[0135] Using each of the extract powders prepared in PreparationExamples 1 and 2, a proliferation inhibiting-property against Coxsackievirus type BE Schmitt strain and Herpes simplex virus type 1 HF strainwas examined.

[0136] At first, cytotoxicity of the extract to human embryolung-derived cell (HEL-R66 cell) was examined. The sugar cane-derivedextract was dissolved in and diluted with sterilized distilled water toa concentration of from 125 to 2000 μg/ml and applied to cultured cells.After 4 day-long culture, existence of denaturation in the cells wasobserved with a microscope. As shown in Table 4, no toxicity to thecells was observed up to a concentration of 1000 μg/ml.

[0137] Next, 100 PFU of viruses were inoculated to the cells. After theviruses were adsorbed to the cells, the excess viruses were removed. Toa maintenance medium for the cells, the sugar cane-derived extract wasadded in such an amount that a final concentration of the extract was inthe range of from 125 to 1000 μg/ml. The cells with the viruses adsorbedthereto were cultured for 4 days. After the cultivation, existence ofproliferation of the cells was observed with a microscope. As shown inTables 5 and 6, it was found that the sugar cane-derived extract doesnot have a proliferation-inhibiting effect against Coxsackie virus,while it has a proliferation-inhibiting effect against Herpes virus at aconcentration of from 500 to 1000 μg/ml. TABLE 4 Cytotoxicity Finalconcentration of sugar cane-derived extract(μg/ml) 125 250 500 1000 2000Extract in − − − − + Preparation Example 1 Extract in − − − − +Preparation Example 2 Sterilized distilled water − − − − − (control)

[0138] TABLE 5 Proliferation Inhibiting-Property against Coxsackie VirusType B6 Schmitt Strain Final concentration of sugar cane-derived extract(μg/ml) 125 250 1000 Extract in − − − Preparation Example 1 Extract in −− − Preparation Example 2 Sterilized distilled water − − − (control)

[0139] TABLE 6 Proliferation Inhibiting-Property against Herpes SimplexVirus Type 1HF Strain Final concentration of sugar cane-derived extract(μg/ml) 125 250 500 1000 Extract in − − ± + Preparation Example 1Extract in − − ± + Preparation Example 2 Sterilized distilled water − −− − (control)

Example 1

[0140] S1c:ICR male mice of 5 week-old (about 30 g in body weight) wereused in 10 mice per group. Each of the extract prepared in the aforesaidPreparation Examples 1 to 4 was dissolved or suspended in sterilizeddistilled water. The extract solution or suspension was orallyadministered to the mice in an amount of 100 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg on theday before inoculation of E.coli. To a control group of the mice, thesame volume of sterilized distilled water was orally administered. Asuspension of man-origin E.coli was subcutaneously inoculated to themice in an amount of 0.2 ml which corresponded to 1 minimum lethal dose,MLD, (4.0×10⁷ CFU/mouse). Four days' survival ratio was determined 4days after the inoculation. The results were evaluated by χ² test asshown in Table 7. TABLE 7 Infection Preventing Test against E. coliAdministered amount Survival ratio Tested Exatract of extract (%) χ²test Control  0 Exatract in Preparation 100 mg/kg 40 * Example 1Exatract in Preparation 200 mg/kg 60 * * Example 1 Exatract inPreparation 500 mg/kg 80 * * Example 1 Exatract in Preparation 100 mg/kg30 Example 2 Exatract in Preparation 500 mg/kg 50 * Example 2 Exatractin Preparation 100 mg/kg 30 Example 3 Exatract in Preparation 200 mg/kg50 * Example 3 Exatract in Preparation 500 mg/kg 80 * * Example 3Exatract in Preventive 100 mg/kg  0 Example 4 Exatract in Preventive 200mg/kg 10 Example 4 Exatract in Preventive 500 mg/kg 40 * Example 4

[0141] The groups which were inoculated with E.coli after theadministration of the sugar cane-derived extract clearly showed highersurvival ratios, which ratio increased with the increasing amount of theadministration. That is, an infection preventing effect was recognizedin the sugar cane-derived extract.

Example 2

[0142] 1) Tested Extracts

[0143] In addition to the sugar cane-derived extracts prepared inPreparation Examples 1 to 4, the following extract was also prepared.Thus, first extract prepared in Preparation Example 2 was suspended insterilized distilled water and dialyzed against sterilized water in adialysis tube made of cellulose ester with a fractionating molecularweight of 1000 (Spectra/Por, trade name, cellulose ester membraneMWCO:1000, ex Spectrum Co.). The resultant liquid inside the dialysismembrane which it referred to as the fraction with a molecular weight of1000 or more, and the liquid outside the membrane which is referred toas the fraction with a molecular weight smaller than 1000, werecondensed to dryness and used for tests.

[0144] 2) Anti-Virus Test

[0145] S1c:ICR male mice of 5 week-old (about 30 g in body weight) wereused in 10 mice per group. Each of the extract prepared in PreparationExamples 1 to 4, the fraction with a molecular weight of 1000 or more,and the fraction with a molecular weight smaller than 1000 fromPreparation Example 2 was dissolved or suspended in sterilized distilledwater. The extract solution or suspension was orally or intramuscularlyadministered to the mice in an amount shown in Table 7. Theadministration was performed 3 times in total, i.e., immediately after,one day after and two days after the inoculation of virus, or 9 times intotal, i.e., three times per day×3 consecutive days. To the referencegroup of the mice, the same volume of sterilized distilled water wasorally administered. A suspension of pig-origin Pseudorabies virus wassubcutaneously inoculated to the mice in an amount of 0.2 ml, whichcorresponded to 1 MLD (133 PFU/mouse). Seven days' Survival ratio wasdetermined. The results were evaluated by χ² test as shown in Table 8.TABLE 8 Infection Preventing Test against Virus AdministeredAdministration The number of Survival Tested Extract amount of extractmethod administration ratio (%) χ² test Control Oral  0 Exatract inPrep. Ex. 1 100 mg/kg Oral ×3*¹ 20 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 1 200 mg/kgOral ×3 60 * * Exatract in Prep. Ex. 1 500 mg/kg Oral ×3 80 * * Exatractin Prep. Ex. 2 100 mg/kg Oral ×3 10 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 200 mg/kgOral ×3 30 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 500 mg/kg Oral ×3 70 * * Exatract inPrep. Ex. 3 100 mg/kg Oral ×3 20 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 3 200 mg/kg Oral×3 40 * Exatract in Prep. Ex. 3 500 mg/kg Oral ×3 70 * * Exatract inPrep. Ex. 4 100 mg/kg Oral ×3 10 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 4 200 mg/kg Oral×3 30 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 4 500 mg/kg Oral ×3 60 * * Exatract in Prep.Ex. 2 25 mg/kg Oral ×3 × 3*²  0 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 50 mg/kg Oral ×3× 3 30 Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 100 mg/kg Oral ×3 × 3 40 * Exatract inPrep. Ex. 2 200 mg/kg Oral ×3 × 3 70 * * Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 500mg/kg Oral ×3 × 3 90 * * Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 125 mg/kg Oral ×3 20(Mw < 1000) Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 250 mg/kg Oral ×3 40 * (Mw < 1000)Exatract in Prep. Ex. 2 500 mg/kg Oral ×3 80 * * (Mw < 1000) Exatract inPrep. Ex. 2 500 mg/kg Oral ×3 20 (Mw >= 1000) Exatract in Preparation1.56 mg/kg Intramuscular ×3 20 Example 2(Mw < 1000) Exatract in Prep.Ex. 2 6.25 mg/kg Intramuscular ×3 30 (Mw < 1000) Exatract in Prep. Ex. 225.0 mg/kg Intramuscular ×3 60 * * (Mw < 1000)

[0146] The groups administered the sugar cane-derived extract clearlyshowed higher survival ratios which increased with the increasing amountof the administration. That is, a preventive effect for infection wasrecognized in the sugar cane-derived extract. In the processed extractfrom Preparation Example 2, the fraction with a molecular weight smallerthan 1000 had a higher effect than the fraction with a molecular weightof 1000 or higher. A significant survival ratio was attained by theintramuscular administration. Thus, it is found that the present sugarcane-derived extract is effective also when intramuscularly administeredbased on the fact that.

Example 3 Infection-Preventing Effect Against E.coli by an Intake of theLess-Succharaide Fraction

[0147] 1) Tested Extract

[0148] The extract powder prepared by ion chromatographic separation inPreparation Example 5 and the desalinized powder of extract prepared byion chromatographic separation in Preparation Example 7 were tested.

[0149] 2) Test of a Preventive Effect Against Infection by E.coli

[0150] S1c:ICR male mice of 5 week-old (about 30 g in body weight) wereused in 10 mice per group.

[0151] Each of the aforesaid extract was dissolved or suspended insterilized distilled water and orally administered in an amount shown inTable 9 to the mice on the day before the inoculation of E.coli. To thecontrol group of the mice, the same volume of sterilized distilled waterwas orally administered. A suspension of man-origin E.coli wassubcutaneously inoculated to the mice in an amount of 0.2 ml whichcorresponded to 1 MLD (4.0×10⁷ CFU/mouse). Four days' survival ratio wasdetermined. The results evaluated by χ² test are as shown in Table 9.

[0152] The groups administered the sugar cane-derived extract clearlyshowed higher survival rates which increased with increasing amount ofthe administration. No effect of desalinization was observed. TABLE 9Infection Preventing Test against E. coli Administered amount ofnon-sugar extract content mg/kg Survival Tested Exatract (%) (asnon-sugar) ratio (%) χ² test Control Sterilized  0 water 0.5 ml Exatractin Preparation 91.8 109 (100*¹) 20 Example 5 Exatract in Preparation91.8 218 (200) 50 * Example 5 Exatract in Preparation 91.8 545 (500)70 * * Example 5 Exatract in Preparation 88.0 114 (100) 10 Example 7Exatract in Preparation 88.0 227 (200) 40 * Example 7 Exatract inPreparation 88.0 568 (500) 70 * * Example 7

Example 4 Anti-Virus Effect by an Intake of the Less-Sugar Fraction

[0153] 1) Tested Extracts

[0154] Total 10 extracts were tested: the powder of the extract preparedin Preparation Example 5, the powders of samples 1 to 8 prepared inPreparation Example 6 and the powder of desalinized extract prepared byion chromatographic separation in Preparation Example 7.

[0155] 2) Anti-Virus Test

[0156] S1c:ICR male mice of 5 week-old (about 30 g in body weight) wereused in 10 mice per group.

[0157] Each of the aforesaid extract was dissolved or suspended insterilized distilled water and orally, forcedly administered in anamount shown in Table 10 to the mice. The administration was performed 3times in total, i.e., immediately after, one day after and two daysafter the inoculation of virus. To the control group of the mice, thesame volume of sterilized distilled water was orally forcedlyadministered. A suspension of pig-origin Pseudorabies virus wassubcutaneously inoculated to the mice in an amount of 0.2 ml whichcorresponded to 1MLD (133 PFU/mouse). Seven days' survival ratio wasdetermined. The results evaluated by χ² test are as shown in Table 10.

[0158] The groups administered the sugar cane-derived extract clearlyshowed higher survival ratios which increased with the increasing amountof the administration.

[0159] The extracts having a higher non-sugar content, i.e., the extractof Preparation Example 5, the extracts of samples 1 to 3 of PreparationExamples 6, and the extract of Preparation Example 7, showedparticularly higher survival ratios. Therefore, sugar is not consideredto be the present active ingredient. TABLE 10 Infection Preventing Testagainst Virus Administered non-sugar amount of Survival content extractmg/kg ratio Tested Extract (%) (as non-sugar) (%) χ² test ControlSterilized  0 water 0.5 ml Exatract in Preparation 91.8 109 (100) 10Example 5 Exatract in Preparation 91.8 218 (200) 40 * Example 5 Exatractin Preparation 91.8 545 (500) 80 * * Example 5 Exatract sample 1 in100.0 200 (200) 40 * Preparation Example 6 Exatract sample 1 in 100.0500 (500) 80 * * Preparation Example 6 Exatract sample 2 in 100.0 200(200) 50 * Preparation Example 6 Exatract sample 2 in 100.0 500 (500)90 * * Preparation Example 6 Exatract sample 3 in 89.6 223 (200) 30Preparation Example 6 Exatract sample 3 in 89.6 558 (500) 80 * *Preparation Example 6 Exatract sample 4 in 52.3 382 (200) 20 PreparationExample 6 Exatract sample 4 in 52.3 956 (500) 60 * * Preparation Example6 Exatract sample 5 in 31.6 1582 (500)  50 * Preparation Example 6Exatract sample 6 in 19.5 2564 (500)  40 * Preparation Example 6Exatract sample 7 in 16.6 3012 (500)  40 * Preparation Example 6Exatract sample 8 in 61.2 327 (200) 30 Preparation Example 6 Exatractsample 8 in 61.2 817 (500) 60 * * Preparation Example 6 Exatract inPreparation 89.2 112 (100) 20 Example 7 Exatract in Preparation 89.2 224(200) 40 * Example 7 Exatract in Preparation 89.2 561 (500) 70 * *Example 7

Test Example 4 Fractions Separated with Sephadex G-25, Based onMolecular Weight, from the Extract Liquid Separated by IonChromatography and Bagasse Extract and Anti-Virus Effect Thereof

[0160] Gel permeation chromatography was performed on the extractprepared in Preparation Example 3 (hot water extraction of bagasse) andthe extract prepared in Preparation example 5 (liquid extract preparedby ion chromatography) for fractionation based on molecular weight.

[0161] The aforesaid extracts were pre-treated to prevent precipitatespossibly present in the extract from clogging. The extract ofPreparation Example 3 was diluted to a Brix of from 17.5 to 17.8 withdistilled water and centrifuged at 600×g for 15 minutes to removeinsoluble materials. The supernatant was suction filtered through a No.2filter paper, ex Advantec Toyo Co., or a glass fiber filter paper GA55,ex Advantec Toyo Co. The filtrate was subjected to gel permeationchromatography. The extract of Preparation Example 5 was diluted to aBrix of from 18.7 to 22.2 with distilled water and filtered through aglass fiber filter paper GA55, ex Advantec Toyo Co. The filtrate wassubjected to gel permeation chromatography.

[0162] A column having an inner diameter of 26 mm and a height of 630 mmwas packed with 315 ml of Sephadex G-25 Superfine, trade name of AmashamPharmacia Biotech Co. FPLC system, ex Pharmacia Co was used forchromatography.

[0163] A degassed solution of ethanol/water=35/65 by volume was used asan eluent, which was passed through the column at a flow rate of SV=0.25hr⁻¹ (1.32 ml/min) at a room temperature. For the extract of PreparationExample 3, a sample feeding amount was 6 ml when filtered with No.2filter paper, and 17 ml when filtered with the glass fiber filter paper.For the extract of Preparation Example 5, 6 ml was fed. Thechromatography was repeated at least 5 times in the same conditions toconfirm reproducibility in chromatogram. At about 80 minutes after thesample feeding was initiated, collection was started. One fractionationwas collected over 15 minutes. A total of 20 fractions were collectedfrom each of the extracts of Preparation Examples of 3 and 5.Chromatograms are as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 6 shows a chromatogramof a molecular weight marker in the same conditions.

[0164] The twenty fractions were combined into 3 samples: sample 1consisting of fractions 1 to 4 containing substances with molecularweight of 10000 or more, sample 2 consisting of fractions 5 to 11 up toa front part of the peak in electric conductivity, and sample 3consisting of fractions 12 to 20 containing much salts.

[0165] These samples 1 to 3 were freeze-dried to become powder. Analysisresults are as shown in Table 11. Here, the definitions of adistribution ratio of freeze-dried solid content and saccharidescontents are the same as those in Table 1. Using each of the powders, ananti-virus test was made in the same manner as in Example 4. The resultsare as shown in Table 12.

[0166] No significant differences among samples 1 to 3 were observed.From this, it is seen that there are a plurality of anti-virus activesubstances both in the extracts obtained by ion chromatographicseparation and in the hot water extract of bagasse, which substanceshave a wide range of molecular weights. TABLE 11 Distribution ratio offreeze-dried Sucurose Glucose Fructose solid content content contentcontent (%) (%) (%) (%) Fractionated sample 1 in 8.8 0 0 0 PreparationExample 3 Fractionated sample 2 in 42.3 20.7 3.5 3.1 Preparation Example3 Fractionated sample 3 in 48.9 0 0 0 Preparation Example 3 Fractionatedsample 1 in 46.5 0 0 0 Preparation Example 5 Fractionated sample 2 in28.8 9.8 1.9 1.6 Preparation Example 5 Fractionated sample 3 in 24.8 0 00 Preparation Example 5

[0167] TABLE 12 Infection Preventing Test against Virus AdministeredNon-sugar amount of Survival content extract mg/kg ratio Tested extract(%) (as non-sugar) (%) χ² test Control Sterilized  0 water 0.5 mlFractionated sample 1 in 100.0 200 (200) 40 * Preparation Example 3Fractionated sample 1 in 100.0 500 (500) 90 * * Preparation Example 3Fractionated sample 2 in 72.7 28 (20) 30 Preparation Example 3Fractionated sample 2 in 72.7 688 (500) 70 * * Preparation Example 3Fractionated sample 3 in 100.0 200 (200) 30 Preparation Example 3Fractionated sample 3 in 100.0 500 (500) 80 * * Preparation Example 3Fractionated sample 1 in 100.0 200 (200) 50 * Preparation Example 5Fractionated sample 1 in 100.0 500 (500) 90 * * Preparation Example 5Fractionated sample 2 in 86.7 231 (200) 30 Preparation Example 5Fractionated sample 2 in 86.7 577 (500) 70 * * Preparation Example 5Fractionated sample 3 in 100.0 200 (200) 50 * Preparation Example 5Fractionated sample 3 in 100.0 500 (500) 90 * * Preparation Example 5

Example 5 Evaluation of Effects of Vaccine Adjuvants

[0168] 1) Tested Extracts

[0169] The following extracts were tested: the extract powder preparedby column chromatography in Preparation Example 1, the extract powderprepared from bagasse in Preparation Example 3, the extract powderprepared by ion chromatography in Preparation Example 5 and the extractpowder prepared by desalinizing the extract obtained by ionchromatography in Preparation Example 7.

[0170] 2) Evaluation of Effects of Vaccine Adjuvants

[0171] S1c:ICR mice of 5 week-old (male, about 30 g in body weight) wereused in 10 mice per group.

[0172] Effects of vaccine adjuvants were tested in administration of thevarious sugar cane-derived extracts to the mice.

[0173] For the groups administered the extracts of Preparation Examples1, 3, 5, and 7, commercially available pig-origin Pseudorabies virusvaccine (AWV) was diluted with a physiological saline solution about 20times and 0.2 ml of the suspension was intramuscularly administered tothe mice. Each extract powder in an amount of 500 mg less-sugarcontent/kg was dissolved in 0.5 ml of sterilized water. The extractsolution was orally administered to the mice once per day for 6 daysstarting from the day of the vaccination. Fourteen days after thevaccination, 0.2 ml of a suspension of pig-origin Pseudorabies virusdiluted with a physiological saline solution corresponding to 1 MLD wassubcutaneously inoculated to the mice and 7 days' survival ratio wasdetermined.

[0174] As to the extract of Preparation Example 3, additional group ofmice was used where a mixture of the vaccine and a solution prepared bydissolving the extraction in an amount of 100 mg less non-sugarcontent/kg in 0.5 ml of sterilized water was administered.

[0175] To the group without vaccination, 0.2 ml of a physiologicalsaline solution instead of the vaccine and 0.5 ml of sterilized waterinstead of the extract were administered. To the group withoutadministration of the extract, 0.5 ml of sterilized water wasadministered instead of the extract.

[0176] Effects of the adjuvant were evaluated by χ² test against thesurvival ratio of the group without administration of the extract (withvaccine only was administered). The results are as shown in Table 13.

[0177] No significant difference was observed between the group withoutvaccine administration and the group without extract administration. Thegroup where the mixture of the extract and the vaccine wasintramuscularly administered showed no significant difference in asurvival ratio. To the contrary, in the groups where the sugarcane-derived extracts were orally administered, significant increases insurvival ratios were observed, which indicates that the present extractis effective as an vaccine adjuvant. TABLE 13 Evaluation of Effects ofVaccine Adjuvants non-sugar Administered amount of content extract mg/kg(as non- Administration Survival χ² Tested extract (%) sugar) method ofextract Immunity ratio (%) test No Inoculation Sterilized water 0.5 mlOral admistration Physiological  0 of vaccine saline solution 0.2 mli.m. No Sterlized water 0.5 ml Oral admistration AWV 0.2 ml i.m. 20administration of extract Exatract of 96.0 521 (500) Oral admistrationAWV 0.2 ml i.m. 80 * Prep. Ex. 1 Exatract of 87.7 570 (500) Oraladmistration AWV 0.2 ml i.m. 80 * Prep. Ex. 3 Exatract of 91.8 545 (500)Oral admistration AWV 0.2 ml i.m. 80 * Prep. Ex. 5 Exatract of 89.2 561(500) Oral admistraion AWV 0.2 ml i.m. 70 * Prep. Ex. 7 Exatract of 87.7114 (100) Intramuscular AWV 0.2 ml i.m. 20 Prep. Ex. 3 administration*¹

Example 6

[0178] 1) Tested Extracts

[0179] The following extracts were tested: the extract powder preparedin Preparation Examples 1 to 4 and the extract powders of PreparationExample 2 processed in the same manner as in Example 2, i.e., thefraction with a molecular weight of 1000 or smaller, and the fractionwith a molecular weight larger than 1000.

[0180] 2) Anti-Endotoxin Effect

[0181] S1c:ICR male mice of 5 week-old (about 30 g in body weight) wereused in 10 mice per group.

[0182] The extracts of Preparation Examples 1 to 4 and the processedextract of Preparation Example 2 were each dissolved or suspended insterilized distilled water and orally administered to the mice in anamount of 100 mg/kg twice, one day before and 6 hours after injection ofendotoxin, lipopolysaccharide, referred to as LPS hereinafter. To thecontrol group of mice, the same volume of sterilized distilled water wasorally administered. E.coli-origin LPS was injected to a caudal vein ofthe mice in an amount of 0.2 ml corresponding to the minimum lethaldosage for attack by endotoxin. Four days' survival ratio was determinedand evaluated by χ² test. The results are as shown in Table 14. TABLE 14Evaluation of Anti-endotoxin Shock Effect Tested extract Survival ratio(%) χ² test Control  0 Exatract in Preparation Example 1 50 * Exatractin Preparation Example 2 40 * Exatract in Preparation Example 3 40 *Exatract in Preparation Example 2 60 * * (Mw < 1000) Exatract inPreparation Example 2 20 (Mw >= 1000)

[0183] The group administered the sugar cane-derived extract showedsignificantly higher survival ratios, which indicates that the presentextract has an anti-endotoxin effect. For the processed extracts fromPreparation Example 2, the lower molecular weight fraction had an highereffect than the higher molecular weight fraction.

Example 7 Anti-Endotoxin Effect

[0184] 1) Tested Extracts

[0185] The powder extract prepared by ion chromatographic separation inPreparation Example 5 and the powder extract desalinized by ionchromatographic separation in Preparation Example 7 were tested.

[0186] 2) Anti-Endotoxin Effect

[0187] S1c:ICR male mice of 5 week-old (about 30 g in body weight) wereused in 10 mice per group.

[0188] Each of the extracts was dissolved or suspended in sterilizeddistilled water and orally administered to the mice in an amount of 100mg/kg twice, on the day before and 6 hours after injection of endotoxin(LPS). To the control group of mice, the same volume of sterilizeddistilled water was orally administered. E.coli-origin LPS was injectedto a caudal vein of the mice in an amount of 0.2 ml corresponding to theminimum lethal dosage for attack by endotoxin. Four days' survival ratiowas determined and evaluated by χ² test. The results are as shown inTable 15. TABLE 15 Evaluation of Anti-endotoxin Shock Effect Amount ofSurvival Non-sugar administered ratio Tested extract content (%) extract(mg/kg) (%) χ² test Control  0 Exatract in Prep. 91.8 100 50 * Example 5Exatract in Prep. 89.2 100 40 * Example 7

Example 8

[0189] S1c:ICR male mice of 3 week-old (about 12 g in body weight wereused in 5 mice per group. Group 1 for control was fed with MF standardfeed and groups 2 to 5 were fed with MF standard feed added 0.1% of oneof the extracts of Preparation Examples 1 to 4. At the end of 28 daysfeeding, a body weight was measured. Also, blood was collected andplasma was subjected to biochemical analyses. The results of weightincrease are as shown in Table 16 and those of the biochemical analysesare as shown in Table 17.

[0190] In Table 16, “weight increase” means weight gain in the testperiod; “weight increase ratio” means a ratio of the weight increase tothe weight (g) at the beginning of the test; and “ratio of the weightincrease ratio” is percent of the weight increase ratio to the weightincrease ratio that of the control group. TABLE 16 Growth PromotingEffect of Exatract Ratio of weight Weight increase Weight increaseincrease ratio Test group (g) ratio (%) Control 27.6 2.29 100 Exatractin Prep. 31.4 2.60 114 Example 1 Exatract in Prep. 30.9 2.55 111 Example2 Exatract in Prep. 30.0 2.51 110 Example 3 Exatract in Prep. 29.9 2.48108 Example 4

[0191] The groups where the sugar cane-derived extract was fed showedsignificant increase in weight, which indicates a growth promotioneffect of the present extract. No abnormality was detected in thebiochemical analyses. TABLE 17 Biochemical Analyses Results of Plasmaafter Administration of Extract Analysis item GPT GOT ALP GLU CRNN T.CHOTG T.PRO PL ALB-U LDH Test group (IU/L) (IU/L) (IU/L) (mg/dl) (mg/dl)(mg/dl) (mg/dl) (g/dl) (mg/dl) (g/dl) (IU/L) Control 35.4 ± 50.8 ± 205.8± 156.0 ± 0.162 ± 114.6 ± 91.6 ± 4.22 ± 225.2 ± 2.44 ± 962 ± 49.8 42.123.3 13.2 0.028 13.8 46.1 0.34 27.3 0.20 993 Extract in 22.0 ± 46.0 ±190.0 ± 179.0 ± 0.112 ± 114.8 ± 112.8 ± 4.42 ± 220.6 ± 2.56 ± 968 ±Prep. Exmple 1 10.5 6.8 39.0 25.0 0.031 15.3 35.0 0.17 20.7 0.10 259Extract in 31.0 ± 48.0 ± 186.6 ± 181.2 ± 0.134 ± 115.4 ± 90.4 ± 4.40 ±218.2 ± 2.54 ± 1113 ± Prep. Exmple 2 21.8 9.7 28.8 21.9 0.029 13.4 25.40.27 17.9 0.22 277 Extract in 16.4 ± 37.0 ± 172.2 ± 170.8 ± 0.116 ±103.8 ± 88.8 ± 4.04 ± 202.2 ± 2.40 ± 767 ± Prep. Exmple 3 4.4 8.8 20.810.0 0.010 15.8 19.4 0.08 15.9 0.00 204 Extract in 18.6 ± 53.8 ± 220.4 ±190.0 ± 0.120 ± 110.0 ± 81.2 ± 3.88 ± 202.1 ± 2.26 ± 1420 ± Prep. Exmple4 4.5 23.3 35.5 24.4 0.032 12.6 33.5 0.16 17.9 0.10 747

Example 9 Growth Promoting Effect of the Extracts from PreparationExamples 3, 5 and 7

[0192] S1c:ICR male mice of 3 week-old (about 12 g in body weight wereused in 5 mice per group. A dosage of non-sugar portion was madeconstant, because sugar was not considered to be active ingredient. Acontrol group was fed with MF standard feed and test groups were freelygiven MF standard feed mixed with 0.1% (as non-sugar content) of one ofthe extracts from Preparation Example 3 (bagasse extract), Example 5(extract separated by ion chromatography) and Example 7 (extractseparated by ion chromatography and desalinized. At the end of 28 daysfeeding, a body weight was measured. Also, blood was collected andplasma was subjected to biochemical analyses. The results of weightincrease are as shown in Table 18 and those of the biochemical analysesare as shown in Table 19.

[0193] In Table 18, “weight increase” means weight gain in the testperiod; “weight increase ratio” means a ratio of the weight increase tothe weight (g) at the beginning of the test; and “ratio of the weightincrease ratio” is percent of the weight increase ratio to the weightincrease ratio that of the control group. TABLE 18 Growth PromotingEffect of Extract Weight Weight Ratio of weight increase increaseincrease ratio Test group (g) ratio (%) Control 27.1 2.34 100 1.00%Addition of extract in 29.3 2.54 109 Preparation Example 3 (0.1%addition as non-sugar components) 0.109% Addition of extract in 29.52.52 108 Preparation Example 5 (0.1% addition as non-sugar components)0.114% Addition of extract 28.9 2.49 106 in Preparation Example 7 (0.1%addition as non-sugar components)

[0194] TABLE 19 Biological Analyses Results of Plasma afterAdministration of Exatract Analysis item GPT GOT ALP GLU CRNN T.CHO TGT.PRO PL ALB-U LDH Test group (IU/L) (IU/L) (IU/L) (mg/dl) (mg/dl)(mg/dl) (mg/dl) (g/dl) (mg/dl) (g/dl) (IU/L) Control 25.8 ± 53.6 ± 175.6± 164.8 ± 0.114 ± 116.2 ± 113.8 ± 4.36 ± 218.0 ± 2.46 ± 973.0 ± 5.7 14.890.7 33.5 0.021 11.2 42.6 0.24 16.5 0.10 500 Addition of Extract 28.4 ±55.2 ± 194.6 ± 215.8 ± 0.132 ± 102.4 ± 36.2 ± 4.18 ± 197.0 ± 2.50 ±456.0 ± in Prep. Exmple 3 5.2 14.8 23.8 36.6 0.024 12.1 13.1 0.07 9.50.11 44.4 Addition of Extract 91.6 ± 52.2 ± 186.4 ± 161.2 ± 0.132 ± 90.0± 81.2 ± 4.18 ± 179.6 ± 2.34 ± 956 ± in Prep. Exmple 5 9.2 13.8 38.129.8 0.029 15.9 42.4 0.34 30.2 0.22 135 Addition of Extract 30.2 ± 61.6± 192.8 ± 210.0 ± 0.142 ± 98.8 ± 44.0 ± 4.34 ± 208.2 ± 2.62 ± 849 ± inPrep. Exmple 7 6.3 16.1 14.6 17.8 0.040 8.4 21.7 0.10 12.2 0.07 326

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0195] By administrating the present sugar cane-derived extract to manor animals orally, infection by bacteria or viruses for example can beprevented or remedied. In addition, diseases caused by endotoxin can beprevented or remedied.

[0196] The present sugar cane-derived extract works as an vaccineadjuvant and also promotes growth when administered orally, for example,to man or animals. The sugar cane-derived extract is plant-origin and anatural product which has been taken in by man from ancient times asnon-centrifugal sugar such as brown sugar (KOKUTOU) and, accordingly, issafe to human or animal health. Also, the extract can be produced in lowcosts. The present extract is a natural product, but has a highpreventive or remedial effect, an anti-endotoxin effect, a vaccineadjuvant effect, and a growth promoting effect even in a small dosage.

What is claimed is:
 1. A preventive or remedy for infection comprising asugar cane-derived extract as an active ingredient.
 2. The preventive orremedy according to claim 1, wherein the sugar cane-derived extract is afraction obtained by treating a raw material selected from the groupconsisting of sugar cane juice, a liquid extract from sugar cane, andsugar cane-derived molasses, in column chromatography with a fixedcarrier.
 3. The preventive or remedy according to claim 2, wherein thesugar cane-derived extract is a fraction obtained by passing the rawmaterial selected from the group consisting of sugar cane juice, aliquid extract from sugar cane, and sugar cane-derived molasses, througha column packed with a synthetic adsorbent as the fixed carrier andeluting substances adsorbed to the synthetic adsorbent with a solventselected from the group consisting of water, methanol, ethanol or amixture thereof.
 4. The preventive or remedy according to claim 2,wherein the sugar cane-derived extract is a fraction which absorbs lightof a wave length of 420 nm out of fractions obtained by columnchromatographic treatment utilizing differences in affinity to an ionexchange resin packed in a column as the fixed carrier.
 5. Thepreventive or remedy according to claim 4, wherein the ion exchangeresin is a cation exchange resin.
 6. The preventive or remedy accordingto claim 5, wherein the cation exchange resin is a strongly acidiccation exchange resin.
 7. The preventive or remedy according to claim 6,wherein the strongly acidic cation exchange resin is of a sodium ionform or a potassium ion form.
 8. The preventive or remedy according toany one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the ion exchange resin is a gel formresin.
 9. The preventive or remedy according to any one of claims 4 to8, wherein ion exchange chromatographic treatment is carried out in apseudo moving-bed continuous separation method.
 10. The preventive orremedy according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the fractionabsorbing light of a wave length of 420 nm is further treated byelectrodialysis to thereby decrease amounts of salts.
 11. The preventiveor remedy according to claim 1, wherein the sugar cane-derived extractis obtained by extracting bagasse with water, a hydrophilic solvent or amixture thereof.
 12. The preventive or remedy according to claim 11,wherein the hydrophilic solvent is ethanol.
 13. The preventive or remedyaccording to claim 11, wherein the mixture of water and the hydrophilicsolvent is a mixture of ethanol and water in a volume ratio of 60/40 orlower.
 14. A food comprising the preventive or remedy according to anyone of claims 1 to
 13. 15. An animal feed comprising the preventive orremedy according to any one of claims 1 to
 13. 16. A vaccine adjuvantcomprising a sugar cane-derived extract as an active ingredient.
 17. Thevaccine adjuvant according to claim 16, wherein the sugar cane-derivedextract is a fraction obtained by treating a raw material selected fromthe group consisting of sugar cane juice, a liquid extract from sugarcane, and sugar cane-derived molasses, in column chromatography with afixed carrier.
 18. The vaccine adjuvant according to claim 17, whereinthe sugar cane-derived extract is a fraction obtained by passing the rawmaterial selected from the group consisting of sugar cane juice, aliquid extract from sugar cane, and sugar cane-derived molasses, througha column packed with a synthetic adsorbent as the fixed carrier andeluting substances adsorbed to the synthetic adsorbent with a solventselected from the group consisting of water, methanol, ethanol or amixture thereof.
 19. The vaccine adjuvant according to claim 17, whereinthe sugar cane-derived extract is a fraction which absorbs light of awave length of 420 nm out of fractions obtained by columnchromatographic treatment utilizing differences in affinity to an ionexchange resin packed in a column as the fixed carrier.
 20. The vaccineadjuvant according to claim 19, wherein the ion exchange resin is acation exchange resin.
 21. The vaccine adjuvant according to claim 20,wherein the cation exchange resin is a strongly acidic cation exchangeresin.
 22. The vaccine adjuvant according to claim 21, wherein thestrongly acidic cation exchange resin is of a sodium ion form or apotassium ion form.
 23. The vaccine adjuvant according to any of claims19 to 22, wherein the ion exchange resin is a gel form resin.
 24. Thevaccine adjuvant according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein ionexchange chromatographic separation is carried out in a pseudomoving-bed continuous separation method.
 25. The vaccine adjuvantaccording to any of claims 19 to 24, wherein the fraction absorbinglight of a wave length of 420 nm is further treated by electrodialysisto thereby decrease amounts of salts.
 26. The vaccine adjuvant accordingto claim 16, wherein the sugar cane-derived extract is obtained byextracting bagasse with water, a hydrophilic solvent or a mixturethereof.
 27. The vaccine adjuvant according to claim 26, wherein thehydrophilic solvent used during extraction is ethanol.
 28. The vaccineadjuvant according to claim 26, wherein the solvent for extraction is amixture of ethanol and water in a volume ratio of 60/40 or lower.
 29. Afood comprising the vaccine adjuvant according to any one of claims 16to
 28. 30. An animal feed comprising the vaccine adjuvant according toany one of claims 16 to
 28. 31. An anti-endotoxin agent comprising asugar cane-derived extract at an active ingredient.
 32. Theanti-endotoxin agent according to claim 31, wherein the sugarcane-derived extract is a fraction obtained by treating a raw materialselected from the group consisting of sugar cane juice, a liquid extractfrom sugar cane, and sugar cane-derived molasses, in columnchromatography with a fixed carrier.
 33. The anti-endotoxin agentaccording to claim 32, wherein the sugar cane-derived extract is afraction obtained by passing the raw material selected from the groupconsisting of sugar cane juice, a liquid extract from sugar cane, andsugar cane-derived molasses, through a column packed with a syntheticadsorbent as the fixed carrier and eluting substances adsorbed to thesynthetic adsorbent with a solvent selected from the group consisting ofwater, methanol, ethanol or a mixture thereof.
 34. The anti-endotoxinagent according to claim 32, wherein the sugar cane-derived extract is afraction which absorbs light of a wave length of 420 nm out of fractionsobtained by column chromatographic treatment utilizing differences inaffinity to an ion exchange resin packed in a column as the fixedcarrier.
 35. The anti-endotoxin agent according to claim 34, wherein theion exchange resin is a cation exchange resin.
 36. The anti-endotoxinagent according to claim 35, wherein the cation exchange resin is astrongly acidic cation exchange resin.
 37. The anti-endotoxin agentaccording to claim 36, wherein the strongly acidic cation exchange resinis of a sodium ion form or a potassium ion form.
 38. The anti-endotoxinagent according to any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein the ion exchangeresin is a gel form resin.
 39. The anti-endotoxin agent according to anyone of claims 34 to 38, wherein ion exchange chromatographic treatmentis carried out in a pseudo moving bed continuous separation method. 40.The anti-endotoxin agent according to any one of claims 34 to 39,wherein the fraction absorbing light of a wave length of 420 nm isfurther treated by electrodialysis to thereby decrease amounts of salts.41. The anti-endotoxin agent according to claim 31, wherein the sugarcane-derived extract is obtained by extracting bagasse with water, ahydrophilic solvent or a mixture thereof.
 42. The anti-endotoxin agentaccording to claim 41, wherein the hydrophilic solvent is ethanol. 43.The anti-endotoxin agent according to claim 41, wherein the solvent forextraction is a mixture of ethanol and water in a volume ratio of 60/40or lower.
 44. A food comprising the anti-endotoxin agent according toany one of claims 31 to
 43. 45. An animal feed comprising theanti-endotoxin agent according to any one of claims 31 to
 43. 46. Agrowth promoter comprising a sugar cane-derived extract as an activeingredient.
 47. The growth promoter according to claim 46, wherein thesugar cane-derived extract is a fraction obtained treating a rawmaterial selected from the group consisting of sugar cane juice, aliquid extract from sugar cane, and sugar cane-derived molasses, incolumn chromatography with a fixed carrier.
 48. The growth promoteraccording to claim 47, wherein the sugar cane-derived extract is afraction obtained by passing the raw material selected from the groupconsisting of sugar cane juice, a liquid extract from sugar cane, andsugar cane-derived molasses through a column packed with a syntheticadsorbent as the fixed carrier and eluting substances adsorbed to thesynthetic adsorbent with a solvent selected from the group consisting ofwater, methanol, ethanol or a mixture thereof.
 49. The growth promoteraccording to claim 47, wherein the sugar cane-derived extract is afraction which absorbs light of a wave length of 420 nm out of fractionsobtained by column chromatographic treatment utilizing differences inaffinity to an ion exchange resin packed in a column as the fixedcarrier.
 50. The growth promoter according to claim 49, wherein the ionexchange resin is a cation exchange resin.
 51. The growth promoteraccording to claim 50, wherein the cation exchange resin is a stronglyacidic cation exchange resin.
 52. The growth promoter according to claim51, wherein the strongly acidic cation exchange resin is of a sodium ionform or a potassium ion form.
 53. The growth promoter according to anyone of claims 49 to 52, wherein the ion exchange resin is a gel formresin.
 54. The growth promoter according to any one of claims 49 to 53,wherein ion exchange chromatographic treatment is carried out in apseudo moving bed continuous separation method.
 55. The growth promoteraccording to any one of claims 49 to 54, wherein the fraction absorbinglight of a wave length of 420 nm is further treated by electrodialysisto thereby decrease amounts of salts.
 56. The growth promoter accordingto any one of claims 46 to 55, wherein the sugar cane-derived extract isobtained by extracting bagasse with water, a hydrophilic solvent or amixture thereof.
 57. The growth promoter according to claim 56, whereinthe hydrophilic solvent is ethanol.
 58. The growth promoter according toclaim 56, wherein the solvent for extraction is a mixture of ethanol andwater in a volume ratio of 60/40 or lower.
 59. A food comprising thegrowth promoter according to any one of claims 46 to
 58. 60. An animalfeed comprising the growth promoter according to any one of claims 46 to58.